Jeremy Lin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin may have hinted he would like to be more than just a backup point guard once he chooses his next team in this summer's free agency.
Following the Charlotte Hornets' first round playoff exit against the Miami Heat, Lin wrote a heart-felt letter on his official Facebook page thanking his fans around the world. Interestingly, Lin also opened about his future in the league, with the Hornets point guard set to explore free agency in July.
"For free agency, I will seek out every opportunity that gives me the greatest chance to be the best player I can be," Lin wrote. "I believe I'm just getting started. I have more to give and more to accomplish."
Certainly, playing as a backup point guard has not been the best opportunity for Lin to fully display his talents, although, with extended minutes, Lin made an impact playing behind Kemba Walker in Charlotte.
Nevertheless, the greatest chance to be the best player Lin can be does not lie in playing second fiddle at the PG spot, like what happened in his stint with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, where majority of Lin's minutes came off the bench.
After an impressive season with the Hornets, averaging 11.7 points and 3.0 assists per game while playing 26.3 minutes, plenty of teams will have Lin in their bucket list once the summer market opens. But if Lin wishes to max out his potential, a team like the Philadelphia 76ers is where he should join this offseason.
Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders explored the possibility of the 76ers signing a player like Lin, with Philadelphia's primary objective of adding a point guard.
"There are a few elite forwards and centers on the market, but the 76ers' primary objective will be to add guards," Beer wrote.
"The 76ers' best plan of attack may be to target mid-tier talent - players who haven't completely established themselves yet, but have each shown they are legit a NBA talent with an intriguing ceiling."
The 76ers only had Ish Smith as their bona fide floor general during the regular season, with the likes of Isaiah Canaan, Kendall Marshall and TJ McConnell not showing much potential to earn a starting role with the 76ers.
With Smith set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, the 76ers may consider looking for a starting point guard who could maximize the talents of the team's big men lineup of Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.
Lin could have an undisputed starting role in Philadelphia even if the team decides to select a point guard prospect in this 2016 NBA draft. While Lin has struggled with shooting the ball this past season, his athleticism makes him effective on both ends of the floor combined with his ability to distribute the ball well.
Furthermore, the 76ers could pay Lin more than what he has earned in his former teams, with Philly projected to have a max cap space of $61.2 million, giving Lin a chance to play more and earn more.
It is undetermined whether Lin would consider playing for the 76ers next season, given that the 27-year-old's desire to return with the Hornets. But if Lin wants to establish his own legacy ala "Linsanity" in New York, the City of Brotherly Love is where he should play next.
