Los Angeles Lakers have been busy this summer recruiting for the 2016-2017 season. After encountering some shortcomings with trades and signings, the Lakers have now acquired Chinese big man Yi Jianlian in one year 8 million dollar deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off one of the worst regular season records in NBA and franchise history, and with hopes of turning it around in the upcoming season, they are now putting the pieces together in forming a decent team. The Lakers finished dead last in the Western conference of the league with only 17 wins and 65 losses, coupled with Kobe Bryant's retirement, they hope to do better this year.
They have been focusing on rebuilding their once famed team, starting with drafting number 2 rookie pick, Ben Ingram during the 2016 draft lottery, then trading for a veteran center, Timofey Mozgov, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now they look to complete their new lineup with former NBA draft pick Yi Jianlian.
According to Sports Illustrated, Jianlian has not played in the NBA since the 2011-2012 season where he played for the Dallas Mavericks in only 30 games. He was tossed around the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Washington Wizards, the New Jersey Nets, and finally the Mavericks, before heading back to the Chinese Basketball Association where he currently play for the 8 time CBA champions, the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Since developing his game overseas in China, Yi Jianlian has led his country to three FIBA Asia titles, in 2005, 2011, and 2015, where he received MVP donors, according to NBA.com. Los Angeles Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak, said that the Lakers organization was excited to have Jianlian on the roster, a player who has had great international success.
The Lakers will begin the 2016-2017 NBA regular season against the Houston Rockets on October 27.
