Two dominating performances with the Texas Legends were enough to convince the Mavericks that Yi Jianlian is ready for his NBA return.

The 7-footer was called up and met the Mavericks in Michigan, where he is expected to be in uniform Tuesday when they play the Detroit Pistons.

"He's really a good athlete, he has good hands and he's just a nice, versatile big man for us," said president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, who saw Yi's two games with the Legends, the team Nelson co-owns.

In two games, Yi averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in 36.5 minutes.