Goran Dragic (Heat) (Photo : Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies are among the ideal landing spots for Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin in free agency, according to the latest NBA rumors.
Lin, who is set to opt out on the final year of his two-year $4.3 million contract with the Hornets, will have plenty of pondering this summer on when to sign next.
After a remarkable season with the Hornets, averaging 11.7 points and 3.0 assists while playing 26.3 minutes per game as backup to Kemba Walker, Lin has the attention of several teams, who could use his service either at a starting role or another sixth man gig. According to Derek James of Hoops Habit, two of the teams where Lin could be a best fit are the Mavs and Grizzlies.
The Mavs head into the offseason with an urgency to sign a young and dynamic point guard as replacement for the possible departure of Deron Williams and Raymond Felton via free agency. As noted by James, Lin could serve as the Mavs' starting PG, giving Dallas an athletic guard who can penetrate inside the paint and play decent defense.
While Lin may not be a great shooter, averaging only 41.2 percent from the field, including 33.6 from downtown, the 27-year-old point guard could become effective if the Mavs could surround him with great shooters like Chandler Parsons, Wesley Matthews and Dirk Nowitzki.
"If the Mavericks can retain Chandler Parsons, that means being able to surround him with players like Wes Matthews, Parsons, and Nowitzki who can hit shots. Keeping the right roster around Lin would be vital to the team's success," James wrote.
The Mavs will have plenty of cash to spend in free agency, with the team projected to have a max cap space of $48 million. While the Mavs have been known to sign over-the-hill players, Lin would be an exception to that trend as he still has plenty of things to provide to a team like Dallas, especially if given the chance to start.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are also seen as a best fit for Lin in terms of opportunity to finally get a starting gig. The Grizzlies are facing an uncharted situation of losing the team's All-Star point guard, with Mike Conley also set to explore free agency this summer. By signing Lin, Memphis adds a possible replacement for Conley in case the latter bolts out of the Bluff City.
"Even if Conley leaves, Lin could start as a placeholder for a season as the Grizzlies transition into whatever the new era is under the next head coach. Who knows? That could include significantly upgrading their shooting, making this a decent fit and opportunity." James noted.
Lin has admitted money would not be much of a factor in his decision in free agency, although the Grizzlies will have plenty of money to spend on Lin, with the team predicted to have $38 million of cap space this summer.
It is still undetermined where Lin would choose to play, but if the Hornets point guard wishes to be the best player he can be and still get a decent deal, the Mavs and Grizzlies could be among the teams Lin should consider in free agency.
