Tiago Splitter goes up for a shot past the Miami Heat's Chris Andersen in the 2014 NBA Finals. (Photo : Reuters)
The LA Lakers has filled out its last roster spot with the reported signing of Yi Jianlian from the Chinese Basketball Association.
The former sixth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft (ahead of ninth pick Joakim Noah) did not live up to expectations and critics believed that the Chinese players were picked as a result of Yao Ming's popularity at that time. Nevertheless, Yi had a career that saw stints with four NBA teams, last seen with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers will reportedly offer an $8 million contract as per Marc Stein of ESPN.
"Sources told ESPN that the Lakers and Yi have agreed to terms and are in the latter stages of cementing a one-year deal in the $8 million range for the veteran forward to return to the NBA for the first time since the 2011-12 season," Stein reported.
Is Yi the right choice for the Lakers? ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton is not convinced. He reasoned that Yi has improved with his stint overseas at the power forward position-not the center spot. Even though Yi is seven feet tall, in China, there are hordes of players taller than he is and he has fit his game as a stretch four.
What do the Lakers need? There are some who suspect that the move to get Yi was necessitated by Timofey Mozgov's groin injury, the extent of which has yet to be reported. With Julius Randle and Larry Nance part of the young core, it's clear that the power forward position is crowded for LA. Pelton relays the discomforting news.
"Yi looks like he's made the necessary improvements to perform better in the NBA than his first stint, but only in the role of power forward. If he ends up playing center, expect Yi to be a disappointment," Pelton concluded.
Apparently, there would have been a better option for the Lakers if they really needed a center, as Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders illustrated when he examined the roster situation of the Atlanta Hawks and how they need to make room.
"The Hawks haven't gotten much out of Tiago Splitter, who has struggled to stay healthy. Stretching out his $8.6 million salary may not make sense - why hurt cap room in future seasons?"
Pincus suggested trading off Splitter for teams with cap space or teams hoping to reach the salary cap floor. At his salary, the Lakers could have been takers for Splitter who is, at least, a legit NBA center who had playoff experience with the San Antonio Spurs.
Somehow, one just has to believe in their team and hope for the best. New head Coach Luke Walton was tagged as the team's savior and perhaps it's best for the Lakers faithful to give him a chance.
