Yi's contract with the Lakers marks the big man's latest stint to try and make it in the NBA. The former first round draft pick, has had a hard time finding a role on a roster, and CCTV's Greg Laffradi looks back at his time in the Association.

On June 29th of 2007, Yi Jianlian was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.

Yi enjoyed a good start and was named the NBA Rookie of the Month for December after averaging 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game over the period.

But Yi's career suffered a blow in April of 2008 when it was announced that he would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

In June of that year, Yi was traded to the New Jersey Nets, but more injuries resulted in him missing 30 games of the 2009-10 season.

The power forward was traded to the Washington Wizards in June of 2010 where he experienced his lowest moment in the league.

Yi ended that season with an average of 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, his worst stats in four NBA seasons, and Washinton decided not to extend his contract.

Then in January of 2012, Yi signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks. His last stop in the NBA before returning to the CBA. But now the Lakers have given the big man another shot in the big league.