For nearly a week, Luke Walton has said he was unsure who would make the Lakers’ final roster. With 17 guys on the team and a deadline looming to cut at least two players, Walton said nice things about all the bubble players then pivoted to a need to watch some game tape then have conversations with his staff and Mitch Kupchak.
Before a final decision could be made, however, Yi Jianlian — one of the bubble players — intervened and made the decision easier. From ESPN’s Marc Stein:
ESPN sources say Yi Jianlian, after talks with the team Sunday, has asked to be released by the Lakers and will be formally waived Monday.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 24, 2016
When the role Yi expected with the Lakers did not materialize after he left China, sources say he and his reps asked the team to let him go
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 24, 2016
This is an interesting development, to be sure. The combination of Yi’s skill set and the structure of his contract led me to believe he would make the final roster. However, his actual play on the floor had me questioning whether he actually deserved to make the team. I would imagine, Yi’s people saw things similarly which led to them asking for his release.
Due to the structure of Yi’s contract, there is actually incentive on the Lakers’ part to keep him but not play him. The escalator incentives are all tied to games played and if Yi were to make the team, but not get any minutes, he instantly becomes the type of trade chip which can have real value — someone with real salary ballast, but without guaranteed money behind it. If the “role” Yi was seeking did not materialize with actual minutes, not only does his just end up sitting at the end of the bench, but he ends up not getting a big portion of that $8 million salary.
Where the Lakers go from here still isn’t known, but at least the picture is clearer. This is not a battle between Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson for the final spot. As we have discussed before, Robinson has played well enough to make the team. Metta, on the other hand, is mostly just a mentor at this point. And while that has value, considering the Lakers have Deng, Mozgov, Calderon, and the youngest head coach in the league, they may not need another “mentor” on this roster.
Whichever direction they go, though, we will know by the end of day.
lalaker14 says
“Jianlian We Hardly Knew Yi!”
I saw him in the Olympics and actually thought that he would make it.
I was pulling for him but it became painfully obvious that he was struggling. Good luck to him.
A Horse With No Name says
Welp, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Yi looked very good in the Olympics, but the speed of the NBA game appears too fast for him. Good luck to him. I suspect the lakers are watching the waiver wire, just in case. If there is nothing there, Robinson makes it and MWP is released.
Clay Bertrand says
Surprising to see the Lakers cut another Brown this year in favor of Metta. I like Metta but there are clearly players available with more upside. RJ Hunter and Jordan Adams are both young 6’5″ perimeter guys for example.
I wonder if Anthony Brown will catch on with another team??
A Horse With No Name says
Wut? Brown cut? Really. I understand it though: he really didn’t show enough to believe he could be a player in this league. I like the management decision making (I’m going to credit Luke here) on both Yi and Brown. Two guys who didn’t get it done are done. No b.s. Everything is earned now.
A Horse With No Name says
Clay Bertrand We won’t know for sure until 2 pm what the lakers plan to do. I’d love to see them grab a guy off waivers and give him a chance. Hope Metta is cut and hired as a coach.
Clay Bertrand says
A Horse With No Name
” No b.s. Everything is earned now.”
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Hard to say Metta has earned his spot. I just tend to notice that even teams chock full of talent STILL try to sign talented upside guys at the end of the bench. However, these are often teams with veteran cores. Teams like the Warriors and the Spurs don’t just waste their final roster spot on a player like Metta. The fact that they kicked around the idea of him being added as a coach and then kept him as a player is clearly demonstrative of the fact that his value as a PLAYER is minimal.
For the Lakers, at this stage of development, still in the bottom 5 of the league most likely, it’s not a hugely crucial matter. I just would rather we fill that last roster spot with a player who at least has upside.
ED 10 says
MWP won`t be released,but he could be gone if another deal materializes in the future.Still waiting to see the starting five.