China star Yi Jianlian, after talks with team officials Sunday, has asked the Los Angeles Lakers for his release, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that, with the Lakers facing roster cut-down decisions by Monday at 5 p.m., Yi and his representatives requested that the Lakers let him go to pursue other opportunities, largely because the role he envisioned in L.A. didn't materialize.
The Lakers will formally waive Yi later Monday, sources said, and will still have to release one more player to get down to the league maximum of 15. But Yi's departure would appear to increase the odds that former All-Star forward Metta World Peace makes the opening night roster as he did a year ago, with fellow veteran Thomas Robinson another strong contender for a roster spot.