Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin will become a free-agent again this season, according to Yibada Sports writer Nate Mitchell. Lin, who is in the first-year of the two-year, $4.3 million contract he signed with the Hornets this offseason, is expected to opt out from the second year of the deal to capitalize on the projected jump in salary cap this summer.
-Averaging at least 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 dimes this season, the 27-year old Lin has seen his playing time decreased ever since the arrival of Courtney Lee, whom the Hornets acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Lee getting significant minutes down the stretch, Lin is slowly losing the role that made one of the key cogs in the Hornets' resurgence this season. Sources close to situation indicates that this could factor in on his decision to opt out and become a free-agent this summer.
While he has been on a funk as of late, Lin is banking on his strong performance through the second half of the season to earn a significant pay hike this offseason.
-Chandler Parson is a wanted man. According to Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas, the 6-foot-9 shooter is expected to draw interest from multiple teams and will command a contract within a ballpark of a max deal.
The Dallas Mavericks, who can offer him a four-year, $96 million deal, remains the favorite to re-sign Parsons because of the player's close ties with owner Mark Cuban and teammate Dirk Nowitzki. However, in the event Parsons decides to leave Big D, the Orlando Magic surfaces as the likely destination for the former Florida Gators standout because of its young talented core.
-The Boston Celtics feel they have a real shot at signing Al Horford when he becomes a free-agent. It's all one of the reason why GM Danny Ainge didn't go 'all in' in their attempt to snag Horford at trade deadline.
"Part of the reason why the Celtics didn't make the sort of overwhelming trade offer for Al Horford that the Hawks were reportedly looking for is that the C's feel they have a legitimate chance to sign him in free agency this summer, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports," (H/t Hoops Rumors)