AI used to sell most jerseys in China, then is Kobe, then LBJ

Yao Ming couldn't match with them. Yi is really nothing. NBA has been in good terms with Chinese market since MJ time. Obviously Yao gave them another big push, in terms of TV and other stuff. But seriously, Chinese fans support Chinese players for sure, but you have to be good.

Yi won't help a team like New York on marketing, at least not in some meaningful way. Think about it this way, the less quality support Lin gets (if he stays), the less chance is there for him to succeed. 

Yi already saw his own ceiling, and he built that ceiling by himself to stop himself further developing.