Jeremy Lin is one of the top point guards available in the 2016 NBA free agency that will start on July 1. According to the latest rumors, Lin is considering all factors in making his decision but happiness is his main priority. Which teams can offer him that?
The 27-year-old had a good first season with the Charlotte Hornets and what he did is enough to fetch him a big raise. However, he revealed in an interview with the Focus Taiwan News Channel that he wants to stay happy playing basketball and it is the most important factor in choosing his next team.
"Everyone knows that I'm a free agent. The most important thing for me is that I want to be happy. And of course, it will depend on whether I am a starter and how much playing time I get. I will take all that into consideration," Lin said.
The 27-year-old point guard was in Taiwan as part of his yearly tour of Asia wherein he held a basketball clinic in the Southern city of Kaohsiung on Saturday, June 10. He will be in his native land until June 17 when he flies to China to continue his offseason tour.
Lin revealed in recent interviews that his time with the Hornets is the most fun he had in his NBA career. He is willing to give them a discount but he cannot start in Charlotte with Kemba Walker occupying that spot. The Hornets also have other free agents to worry about like Nicolas Batum, Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams and Courtney Lee.
According to FanSided, there are five possible destinations for Lin this summer including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. The Rockets have hired Mike D'Antoni, the catalyst of "Linsanity" in New York, as their new head coach.
The Clippers and Pacers are both looking for a decent backup point guard and Lin clearly state that he wants to start. He will have that chance with the Sixers and Knicks, who are both in need for a starting point guard.
Both teams are also going to play fast-paced offense next season and Lin perfectly fits with them. However, the Sixers are a young team who will not contend anytime soon while his tenure with the Knick was memorable but he was clearly pushed out of the door.
The Brooklyn Nets are also linked with Lin and it could be the perfect match. The Nets new coach, Kenny Atkinson, is close to Lin and he will surely get the starting spot. They also have the money to sign him to a big contract.
Check out the video below for Lin's best performance in the regular season with the Hornets. It was a 29-point explosion against the San Antonio Spurs.