EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 21: Luke Walton poses for a picture with Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and part owner Jim Buss after he is introduced as the new head coach becoming the 26th Los Angeles Laker head coach at Toyota Sports Center on June 21, 2016 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Report: Lakers bringing back former flame out lottery pick for second shot in the NBA

The Lakers could use some veteran leadership.

Yi Jianlian is probably a name that hasn't been heard in a long time in NBA circles. However, if you watch the Olympics then you've likely been watching the former No. 6 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft for quite some time as this is his fourth Olympics he's appearing in. The Chinese big man was taken by the Milwaukee Bucks in that draft and was shuffled around with the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks before exiting the league in 2012.

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It seems that Jianlian is finally ready for his NBA comeback and the 28-year old could be getting his chance with a team in desperate need of veteran leadership.

Jianlian averaged 7.9 points, 0.7 blocks and 4.9 rebounds over the course of his career in the NBA. He also shot 33 percent from beyond the arc and 40.4 percent overall. His game might translate better now that the league has become much more three-happy and likes big men who can shoot the ball.

 

[h/t SI.com]