It’s not a strong crop of free-agent point guards, with Memphis’ Mike Conley leading the top tier. Resurgent Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony’s choice, is next, but some in the organization believe he hangs onto the ball too much. Brandon Jennings, D.J. Augustin, Ty Lawson, Jeremy Lin, Miami’s unsung Tyler Johnson, Aaron Brooks and Mario Chalmers are also free agents. Sources have indicated the Knicks consider Lawson’s off-court issues too big a risk and Lin’s defense too gaping.
More on Jeremy Lin Free Agency
The new coach clearly has a vision — and he may be already looking toward a certain free agent point guard to help execute it. Minutes after leaving the main press conference room, D’Antoni brings up Jeremy Lin — unprompted — in one of his first side interviews. “With Linsanity we had 11 games, if I’m not mistaken, where we were the No. 1 defensive team in the league (with Lin as the point guard),” D’Antoni says in response to a 790 AM question. “Nobody says that. Nobody says we were 10-1, or 9-1, with Lin.”
D’Antoni goes on to call Linsanity “great” and an “unbelievable, little run.” The coach is not tampering or skirting NBA rules. He knows the regulations and understands free agency is more than a month away. When a radio host notes, “I hear he’s available, by the way. Jeremy,” D’Antoni chuckles. “We won’t get into that,” he says, grinning. So sure, D’Antoni brings up Jeremy Lin only n relation to his experiences with the Knicks. Technically. But the love for Lin’s game — and, perhaps, an underlying message — comes through loud and clear.
7 seconds or Less: If you had to guess do you think Lin stays in Cha or goes to NY? Steve Kyler: I think he'd like to stay in Charlotte, but money is going to win out and Charlotte has an issue there.
Charlotte, with $48 million in guaranteed contracts and $66 million in free-agent cap holds, will not be able to sign all five players, who will be coveted by teams overflowing with cap space. The odd man out is likely going to be Lin. With Lin opting out of his contract – and with non-Bird rights – Charlotte will have to use cap space to sign him. To create room, Charlotte would need to address Batum, Jefferson, Lee and Williams before circling back to Lin. The large cap holds have Charlotte over the salary cap.
"If you asked me would I be interested in coming back, there's no question in my mind — it's a resounding yes," Lin said. "I would be very interested in coming back."
Rod Boone: Jeremy Lin said he "absolutely" wants to return to @Charlotte Hornets. Said he'd even take a discount and this season was most fun he's had in @nba.
NetsDaily: As we wrote: league source told me Lin's likely to go back to Charlotte. He likes it a lot. Uncertain how Nets feel
Lin demurred, too, when asked about the coming summer, whether he might opt out and what he might seek. He noted it would be disrespectful to the Hornets organization and his teammates to discuss personal business during this postseason run.
Several teams could use his services. The Brooklyn Nets’ hiring of the Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson to coach their team next season led some media outlets to speculate on whether Brooklyn could be an attractive destination for Lin. Atkinson was an assistant with the Knicks during the Linsanity days.
The Nets were interested in Lin last summer, offering him a multi-year contract, based on the Mini-MLE, league sources.tell NetsDaily. That would have meant a starting salary of $3.4 million, but Lin's team wanted a deal starting at $5+ million. The Nets moved on, splitting the MiniMLE between Shane Larkin and Wayne Ellington. Lin had to settle for a two year deal, starting at $2.1 million.
Atkinson's player development is clearly a big reason why he was hired, but what about his ability to recruit free agents like Lin? Atkinson is well-respected around the league and Brooklyn's situation isn't as frowned on around the league as fans might assume. Is Lin the Nets long term answer at point guard. You would have to assume no, but no one had faith in the undrafted Harvard man like Atkinson did in 2011 either.
One of the top point guards coming off the bench this season. Lin has found a nice role with coach Steve Clifford. Player option with non-Bird rights means Charlotte will have a hard time affording him.
Jeremy Lin announced just hours before NBA players can sign contracts that he will join the Charlotte Hornets. A source confirmed to ESPN.com that the contract is for Charlotte's biannual exception -- two years and $4.3 million.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Jeremy Lin's deal with the Charlotte Hornets will be two-years, $4M-plus, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
Jeremy Lin: Lets goooooo!! #BuzzCity http://instagram.com/p/45Y38pOPzq/
The Dallas Mavericks are firmly in the mix to sign free-agent point guard Jeremy Lin, according to league sources. Dallas has limited funds to offer, but sources told ESPN.com that Lin is giving the Mavericks strong consideration even though he can likely make more money elsewhere. Lin's relationship with Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons from their days as teammates in Houston, sources said, has kept Dallas in the race despite its lack of financial flexibility. Parsons, of course, had a huge hand in the recruiting of DeAndre Jordan to the Mavericks in the richest free-agent score in team history.
Alex Kennedy: Sources say that the New York Knicks have reached out to Jeremy Lin. This lines up with my report from Sunday. twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA…
Chris Mannix: Another name on Sacramento's radar, per source: Jeremy Lin.
