Jianlian asked the Lakers to be released and will be waived Monday, Marc Stein of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jianlian reportedly was given a different role than he expected when he initially signed with the Lakers from China, as it's possible that Jianlian was not a fan of the team playing him at backup center behind Timofey Mozgov through training camp. Jianlian's departure will likely result in a return to China for the big man, while Tarik Black and Ivica Zubac could now potentially see bigger roles in the frontcourt this season for the Lakers.

Jianlian tallied four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds over 13 minutes in Tuesday's 109-106 preseason loss to the Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

Jianlian saw another small bump in playing time Tuesday and turned a solid effort relative to his 13 minutes on the court. The seven-footer has been serviceable to date in the exhibition slate and is slotted as Timofey Mozgov's primary backup at center in the coming season. With Mozgov never having averaged more than 25 minutes in any of his eight seasons, Jianlian could receive a solid allotment of minutes if he can continue to prove worthy of them.

Jianlian has been seeing time during training camp practices as the Lakers' backup center behind starter Timofey Mozgov, Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he's seven feet tall, Jianlian lacks the rim-protecting ability most teams value at the center spot, but he could provide the Lakers with an interesting weapon on the offensive end. The 28-year-old possesses a reliable stroke from the outside, which could aid the Lakers with their floor spacing when Julius Randle is on the floor working the low block. While Jianlian looks like an increasingly safe bet to make the roster despite his contract not being fully guaranteed, he still figures to see fewer than 20 minutes per game behind Mozgov, which will limit his fantasy production.

Guangdong Hongyuan signed PF Yi Jianlian to a 2-year contract. With no "optional clause" in his contract, the sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft cannot return to the NBA until 2015. Last year, Yi led Guangdong Hongyuan to a championship win, earning league MVP honors en route. He appears satisfied with this role even though there are certainly a few NBA teams that would be happy to have him coming off their bench. He last played in the NBA for the Mavericks in 2012.

Yi Jianlian has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Guangdong Tigers in China. Yi hasn't made a great impression during his NBA career and would have been asked to embrace a reserve role, but according to the report "he thinks consistent playing time is vital." The career 40.4 percent shooter has an uphill battle to resurrect a meaningful career in the NBA.

Yi Jianlian said his agent has been contacted by several NBA teams, but he will wait to consult with his "management team" in the U.S. before making a decision. It seems like a given that Yi will sign with an NBA team this season, but we've seen enough to avoid him in all fantasy formats. Through five NBA seasons, Yi has shot just 40.4 percent from the field, with more personal fouls per game (2.3) than combined assists (0.7), steals (0.5) and blocks (0.7).

Updating a previous item, Yi Jianlian is not considering playing in Spain and still wants to return to the NBA. Yi reportedly had a two-year, $5 million offer on the table from Real Madrid, but the club yanked the offer after Jianlian's salary demands, and the big man remains committed to remaining stateside. "For now, we're not considering playing in Spain," one of Yi's representatives said. He may not have a choice if his market remains nonexistent.

Yi Jianlian is reportedly seeking a two-year contract worth $5 million from Real Madrid. We think it's comical that Yi can set the terms of his next deal given that he's a 40.4 percent shooter during his time in the NBA with career averages of 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, but at least he's aiming high. We wouldn't be surprised if his NBA career was over.

Yi Jianlian is currently dealing with a strained MCL. According to the report, the injury "will affect his chances of returning to [the] NBA this season, but we're not really buying that because Yi's market has been bone dry to date. One has to wonder if his NBA career is over after being the No. 6 overall pick in 2007.

Although several European teams are showing interest in Yi Jianlian, he remains focused on staying in the NBA. Yi resurfaced with the Mavericks last season and is currently an unrestricted free agent. He wants to remain in the NBA, although it is yet to be seen if anyone in the Association wants him on their roster for next season. Even if he does return, he will have no fantasy value.