Teammates Jeremy Lin #7 and Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets react after a play during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Time Warner Cable Arena on October 19, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo : Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets superstar Kemba Walker admitted that losing Jeremy Lin is a big blow to their team. But he also said that he is happy for his former teammate, who got a lucrative deal from the Brooklyn Nets.
Walker and Lin helped the Hornets have one of their best seasons in franchise history. Lin usually backed up Walker but were also effective during times they were together on the court.
But after a successful season in Charlotte, Lin opted to go in a different direction. The former Harvard University standout signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Nets.
Walker said in his Player's Tribune essay that he was disappointed Lin had to go but he is happy for his former teammate. The 26-year-old point guard said that Lin deserves to become a starter in the league -- a role he is expected to get under new Nets coach Kenny Atkinson.
"He deserves to be a starter in this league," Walker said of Lin. "He's such a great player and he proved that last season. There were games where I was off and he carried the team."
Lin had a solid season in Charlotte last season, as he averaged 11.7 points on top of 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The 27-year-old guard had big games both during the regular season and playoffs for the Hornets.
The six-year veteran said earlier this year that he wants to stay in Charlotte but he is also eyeing more playing time and bigger role next season. In turn, Lin opted to move to Brooklyn, where he will play under Atkinson, who helped him during his rose to stardom in New York in 2012.
Lin previously discussed his decision to sign with the Nets. The savvy point guard said that he wants to be a leader and be part of the growth of the Nets organization, who is entering a new era under Atkinson and new general manager Sean Marks.
"We've talked a lot about culture and establishing a type of identity and work ethic, and I just kinda want to help," Lin said via Fox Sports. "It's kind of like a blank slate for the organization in a lot of ways, bringing in a new GM and a new coach, and I just want to be a part of that."
Watch Lin's Nets introductory press conference in the video below.
