Jeremy Lin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin announced on Friday that he will sign with the Brooklyn Nets, a move many analysts believed stemmed from the guard's desire to return to a starting role and play significant minutes at the prime of his career.
Coming off his strongest season since his stint with the New York Knicks, Lin signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Nets, rejoining him with former Knickerbockers assistant coach Kenny Atkinson.
At a range of $10M to 12M per year, the Nets' contract is simply the best offer out there for Lin, who had to play on a $2M per year deal with the Hornets following a nightmarish stint with the Los Angeles Lakers a season ago.
But beyond the pay-hike and the business opportunity Brooklyn presents to him, Lin understands that the Nets are the best team for his career right now.
Even before the free-agency season started, the former Harvard standout stressed his desire to play more minutes with his next team. Apparently, the Nets can give him the opportunity in the world to flourish in the starting role following the release of last year's starting playmaker Jarrett Jack.
Lin finds himself in position to reach his full potential in the apex of his basketball career. Although the Nets are expected to have a hard time sneaking into the postseason this year with the way the Eastern Conference has beefed up this summer, he is nevertheless headed to a breakout year with his new team.
Lin, who will turn 28-year old this August, knows the consequence of his decision to sign with the rebuilding Nets. Making it into the playoffs might be a little far-fetched this year, but he knows that he has a shot at becoming the newest star of this team.
In a Nets team deprived of offensive weapons after gutting out their roster the past two years, there's no doubt that Lin will be setting a number of career highs next season, more so if he gels well with Nets big man Brook Lopez, who is a perfect complement to his pick-and-roll game.
Who knows, his stint with the Nets could lead him to an All-Star nod, which is something his fans have been dreaming of for quite some time.
