Lakers impressed with Yi Jianlian’s development

#11 Yi Jianlian at LA Lakers Media Day at their El Segundo training facility. Photos by Brad Graverson/SCNG/The Daily Breeze/09-26-16

#11 Yi Jianlian at LA Lakers Media Day at their El Segundo training facility. Photos by Brad Graverson/SCNG/The Daily Breeze/09-26-16

It has become nearly impossible for Yi Jianlian not to stand out. His 7-foot-0, 250-pound frame makes Yi noticeable in a crowd already filled with tall basketball players.

Yi has cast even more attention, though, for what he has done with the basketball. During closed portions of training camp practice and the tail-end sessions that the media has seen, Yi has made a large chunk of shots from 3-point range.

So much that Walton called Yi “probably our best 3-point shooter out of the bigs,” including starting center Timofey Mozgov and rookie center Ivica Zubac.

“He’s been shooting the heck out of the ball, which is obviously something we can use,” Walton said. “He’s a big man that can step behind the 3-point line and help space the ball. I’m a big believer in playing an open space style of game.”

And that makes the Lakers big believers that Yi could crack the roster after last playing in the NBA in 2012. The Lakers signed Yi before training camp to a a one-year deal that could go from the veteran’s minimum to around $8 million if he passes certain unspecified benchmarks.

“Training camp was great. The team is playing together, we work hard and help each other,” Yi said. “I’m a stretch big so I try to space the floor and give the forwards an open shot. I have to be able to make it.”

Yi has made his shots quite often entering the Lakers’ preseason opener on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings at Anaheim’s Honda Center. But that hardly was the case during Yi’s four-year NBA career that included stops in Milwaukee (2007-08), New Jersey (2008-10), Washington (2010-11) and Dallas (2011-12). After the Bucks selected him sixth overall in 2007, Yi averaged 7.9 points on a 40.4 percent clip.

“He’s going to have to earn his way on the team,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “He has not been in the NBA for the last four or five years. We know he has NBA size and athleticism. Certainly he can hold his own physically. He has a great skill> he has the ability to shoot the basketball. Very very athletic. But he’s been away for four years.”

Nonetheless, the Lakers had worked Yi out for the last two years. But Kupchak noted the Lakers faced hurdles considering Yi’s contractual obligations with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. The Lakers renewed their interest this summer in Yim who averaged 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in the Rio Olympics in what marked his fourth stint with the Chinese National Team.

“No matter I play in NBA or not, it’s still a big thing for me,” Yi said about playing for his national team. “It’s the highest level of competition. I’m representing my country and I play against the best players in the world. It’s great experience. Every Olympics helps a lot.”

The Lakers also attended Team USA’s 107-57 win over China in exhibition play at Staples Center in July, though Kupchak noted “we didn’t put a whole lot of stock in his game” because of the lopsided score.

Instead, the Lakers are putting stock in how Yi could play as either a backup center or forward.

“I play both,” Yi said. “Coach isn’t so concerned about whether I play the four or the five. It’s more about moving the ball.”

All of which could lead to open shots, shots that Yi has made with stunning accuracy thus far.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com