Jeremy Lin could become a free agent again this summer. And according to recent reports, the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks might offer contract to Lin when the NBA free agency period begins in July.
The Rockets are tagged as one of the most likely landing spots for Lin after Houston hired his former mentor Mike D'Antoni as their new head coach. D'Antoni was Lin's coach, when he had his breakout season with the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 NBA season.
D'Antoni is expected to install his high-octane offensive system in Houston. Paper City Mag reported D'Antoni will likely look for a new point guard. Lin was mentioned as one of his possible targets. The veteran coach declined to address the rumors, but he praised Lin for his defensive intensity during their time together in the Big Apple.
"With Linsanity we had 11 games, if I'm not mistaken, where we were the No. 1 defensive team in the league," D'Antoni said. "Nobody says that."
Meanwhile, the Knicks are also being linked to a possible reunion with Lin. The Knicks recently hired Jeff Hornacek as their new coach, and is expected to run a fast-paced system. Hornacek could pave the way for Lin's return to the Big Apple this summer.
New York Post confirmed Hornacek will look to add a starting point guard this summer. However, the Knicks are reportedly thinking twice of reuniting with Lin because he is a liability on the defensive end of the floor. The Knicks are also eyeing free-agent point guard Ty Lawson but are worried of the veteran playmaker's off-court issues.
Aside from the Rockets and the Knicks, the Hornets are still in the race to sign Lin to a new deal this summer. The former Harvard University standout has also made it no secret he is open to staying in Charlotte after having one of the best seasons of his career this year.
Lin, who signed a two-year deal worth $4.37 million with the Hornets last season, averaged 11.7 points to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Hornets. The 27-year-old point guard had big games during their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, where he posted 12.4 points per game.
Watch the highlights of Lin's breakout season in New York below.