Chinese forward Yi Jianlian has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Guangdong Hongyuan club confirmed on Wednesday.
"The Hongyuan club supports Yi's decision to return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the signing with the Los Angles Lakers. We are glad that Yi has another chance to show the world his skills and game in the world best league. We wish the best future for him," the club announced through a news release.
The club did not reveal the amount of the contract, but according to Yi's friends, the contract is worth 8.5 million U.S. dollars.
Yi, who was drafted on the sixth place by Milwaukee Bucks in 2007, played for the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks before he came back to Hongyuan in 2012.
In the Rio Olympics, Yi led the Chinese team with 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.
