The NBA free agency rumors continue and Jeremy Lin is one of the more intriguing prospects.
While he cannot be considered as one of the top free agents, Lin is also not an afterthought anymore. His performance with the Charlotte Hornets and the dearth of point guards in this year's market will make him a hot commodity.
Both teams based in the Big Apple are in dire need of a point guard and the way Lin has returned to form this season, they would definitely consider him. The Brooklyn Nets, just like their crosstown rival does not have a first round draft pick.
With their focus on free agency, the Nets have made their moves to initiate a new culture and they did it by hiring Sean Marks, formerly of the San Antonio Spurs as their General Manager. In turn, he hired Kenny Atkinson, a former Knicks assistant, as their new head coach.
The selection sparked speculation that the Nets might be making a move on Jeremy Lin as Atkinson was one of the coaches who supported Jeremy during the Linsanity days. Lin shared to Andrew Keh of the NY Times.
"I've kind of been saying it was just a matter of time for him because I know how good he is, I know how much he was there for me in New York," Lin said. "When you're around him, you kind of understand there's something different about him: his energy, his passion, the juice he approaches his work with."
Lin added: "He doesn't leave any stone unturned. He's always the first one in, and I'm saying first one in by, like, hours."
While those are high praises, the chances of Lin bolting the Hornets because of a coach is slim, in no small part due to Steve Clifford, the Hornets coach who is underrated but has done a mighty job of steering Charlotte to the playoffs.
Team site Nets Daily faced the question on Lin joining the Nets. They revealed that the Brooklyn brass actually made an offer for Lin last summer and they offered him "a multi-year contract, based on the Mini-MLE, which meant a starting salary of $3.4 million, but Lin's team wanted a deal starting at $5+ million."
Lin came off a lackluster season with the LA Lakers and knew that he had to prove himself again, so he didn't accept the low-ball, long term offers. It was wise of him to pick a situation where he could thrive and now his value has significantly increased.
However, while Lin downplayed the speculation as he was obviously happy in Charlotte, it would not be wise to rule out the Nets. The Nets Daily piece quoted Alan Hahn, a Knicks analyst who spoke on ESPN Radio:
"I think you could see Jeremy Lin, who's going to be a free agent, I could see him looking at Brooklyn as a destination for him because a) he's coming back to New York where he can become a megastar again, but b) because that's the coach," said Hahn, who claimed to have known Atkinson since he was 12."Kenny Atkinson is the reason LinSanity was LinSanity. Jeremy will tell you that."
The Charlotte Hornets has other free agents to tend to: Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams and Nic Batum. Just how much will they prioritize Jeremy Lin, and will the Nets seize the opening to steal him away?