Lakers: Final Roster Set For Opening Night
In a surprising turn of events, the Lakers have cut Anthony Brown and Yi Jianlian to make room for Thomas Robinson and Metta World Peace. The roster now stands at 15.
The Lakers trimmed their roster down to 15 Monday morning after they announced the release of Yi Jianlian and 2015 second-round pick, Anthony Brown.
Jianlian asked to be released from the team, according to reports, because he was unsatisfied with his role on the team. General Manager Mitch Kupchak spoke on the situation in a Lakers.com press release.
"“Yi was productive in practices and games with us, and was a consummate professional both on and off the court,” said General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “However, he felt that the minutes and opportunities he’d be afforded here were not in line with his goals and ambitions, and that he’d be better off in a different situation. We appreciate his efforts and wish him great success as he goes forward with his career.”"
Yi averaged just three points per game on 35 percent shooting, including 16.7 percent from behind the arc, in 10.7 minutes per game.
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Brown, however, had a pretty solid preseason. After struggling to shoot the ball last season, the former Stanford product averaged 3.2 points per game on 60 percent shooting from 3 in very limited playing time.
Los Angeles drafted Brown with the No. 34 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Given his age and ties to Southern California, it’s possible he remains with the team as part of the team’s D-League affiliate, the LA D-Fenders.
Thomas Robinson looked good in his limited playing time as well. He provided a spark off the bench with his athleticism and nose for rebounds. While it’s unlikely he sees a ton of playing time once the games start to count, he provides head coach Luke Walton options in the front court.
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The decision to keep Metta World Peace was less about his contributions on the court and more about his locker room presence. His role as a mentor can be crucial to the development of the young roster.