Hoops Nation

Yi Jianlian, who is reportedly receiving high levels of interest from top flight European teams, including Real Madrid, is committed to playing in the NBA next season.

Speaking to NetEase on Sunday, Lu Yu, a member of Yi’s representative team, said that although there has been communication with European teams, Europe is at this point a secondary option.

“For now, we’re not considering playing in Spain,” said Lu. “I can only say that Yi’s first choice is to return to the NBA.”

But after averaging career lows in points and rebounds last season for the Dallas Mavericks, it appears unlikely that there is a market for the seven-footer’s services in the NBA this year. Another issue is a strained MCL, which Yi suffered in the Olympics against Australia, which may be another major reason why teams have cooled their interest. Yi has struggled with staying healthy in the past, having never played more than 66 games in any of his five seasons.

French outlet, BasketNews, is reporting that Real Madrid have cut off negotiations after considering Yi’s salary demands.

(Via NiuBball.com)