The Brooklyn Nets seem to have emerged as the top destination for Jeremy Lin.
With Derrick Rose now with the New York Knicks, Jeff Teague already with the Indiana Pacers, that takes away two contenders to sign him.
It seems like Lin is now torn between his incumbent team, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Brooklyn Nets.
The Hornets have already reached a deal with their top priority free agent Nic Batum, for a reported $120 million for five years. It's not the max contract but Batum really wanted to stay. With annual payments north of $23 million and security for the next five years-these were contracts that were only reserved for the franchise players.
But what's surprising is that it's not even the max that Batum could demand. As Matt Moore of CBS Sports wrote, "the big impact here is that Batum signed for roughly $30 million less than his max contract. That gives the Hornets wiggle room to retain some other free agents or pick up replacement options."
The implication is that the Hornets could now retain their other free agents like Lin, Marvin Williams, Courtney Lee and Al Jefferson-not necessarily in that order, and that is the big deal for Lin. Moore said it was important for the Hornets to keep their "best combination" together-Batum and starting point guard Kemba Walker.
That would push Lin down the hierarchy, whether he deserves to or not, that's the reality. In contrast, teams like the Brooklyn Nets, or Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers can offer him bigger money (12-15 million projected) and the undisputed starting spot.
Charlotte acknowledges this, and ESPN reported that they are "fearful" that Jeremy Lin leaving is real. They have also been warned that the chances to keep Lin are "less than 50%."
"The Charlotte Hornets would like to re-sign free agent Jeremy Lin but are fearful of losing the point guard, according to league sources," Chris Broussard of ESPN wrote.
The article continues: "The Hornets' top priority is bringing back Nicolas Batum, their free-agent swingman who had a breakout season, and they also want to re-sign Marvin Williams, who is a strong presence in the locker room, sources said."
The Hornets can only do so much without Lin's Bird Rights, and the Brooklyn Nets could emerge as their top suitor because their new coach is Kenny Atkinson, who has a deep connection with Lin when he was an assistant with the Knicks in the "Linsanity" days. Also, the Nets have waived Jarett Jack, leaving the starting point guard spot wide open.
With this development, the Nets could be favored to nab Durant over the Kings and Sixers-and even the Hornets.