The Charlotte Hornets are in the thick of a tight Eastern Conference playoff battle midway into the season. While the recently on-fire Kemba Walker and all-around marvel Nicolas Batum have each made significant impact on the Hornets campaign, Jeremy Lin proves to be the team's best offseason pickup, becoming the stabilizer to their second unit.
The 27-year old Lin has averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 boards and 3.3 rebounds in 27 minutes of playing time. He is shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.
In February 3 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lin recorded his best all-around game of the season with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in 106-97 victory over the reigning Eastern Conference champion at home.
Lin, apart from the solid statistical production he chipped every game, has given head coach Steve Clifford another reliable playmaker (in case Walker gets hurt again) and someone to be assigned on taller point guards who killed the Hornets last season.
With three days to go before February 18 trade deadline, the Hornets will likely stay put with their current roster, unless a crazy offer comes out of nowhere.
Regarding Lin's availability on the trading block, it's almost sure the Hornets will keep the former Harvard standout for the remainder of the season.
Although Lin's production off the bench already makes him appealing for playoff contenders looking for more depth at the point guard spot, Lin's cap-friendly two-year, $4.3 million deal pushes his value further upwards on the trading market.
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report reported about a year ago that the Houston Rockets has expressed interest in bringing back Lin. Apparently, it won't be shocking if they make another try at scooping Lin since they are in need of a reliable playmaker alongside James Harden.
The Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks, teams with up-tempo style of play, could also make a bid for Lin, if he suddenly becomes available on the block. But then again, it's unlikely the Hornets will part ways with Lin, who has established himself as integral part of the team in his short stint in Charlotte.