Re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers might be a long-shot for incoming free-agent point guard Jeremy Lin but there will be options nevertheless, including a potential stint in Mile High where his former coach, Mike D’Antoni, is rumored to be the top choice for the vacant coaching position.
Lin, whose tumultuous campaign with the purple-and-gold ended a bit prematurely due to soreness in his left knee, will enter the free-agency season with his future shrouded in mystery as to what will be his next destination.
With the Lakers determined to spend bulk of their salary cap for elite free-agents, Lin is very likely to end up as a one-and-done project of general manager Mitch Kupchack and Co after all. Still, the 26-year old Lin has done just enough, especially during his solid run after the All-Star break, to pique the interest of other teams.
The Houston Rockets, who traded him to the Lakers last offseason, are reportedly willing to renew their ties with the Asian-American hot shot, while the Philadelphia 76ers – the team that made an aggressive move to trade for Lin before he was sent to the Lakers – will likely make another bid to acquire him.
Lin insisted that his priority this coming offseason is to find a team where he can ‘fit in.’ NBA insiders are expecting Lin to find another opportunity to become the primarily ball handler again after seeing his starting job ripped away by veteran Ronnie Price 20 games into his Lakers career.
The Denver Nuggets will look for a permanent replacement to sacked head coach Brian Shaw, and their decision would have a big impact on Lin’s free-agency.
It is because, D’Antoni, who is credited for giving Lin the opportunity to show his hidden talents during his stay in New York, is being mentioned as the leading candidate for the vacant post. The prospect of D’Antoni taking the head coaching reigns with the Nuggets would surely entice Lin to pursue a reunion with his mentor who knows how to maximize his strengths.
Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report even recognized this possibility in his latest editorial piece, claiming D’Antoni presence in Mile High would be a dream scenario not only for Lin but for both of them because of the success they have in the past.
“None of it will matter if the Lakers sign Rajon Rondo or someone else to be their point guard this summer. And maybe Mike D'Antoni signs up to coach the Denver Nuggets, they dump talented but knuckleheaded Ty Lawson and sign Lin to run spread-floor pick-and-rolls over and over until the opponents run out of oxygen in that altitude and D'Antoni's mustache curls up in glee,” Ding stressed.
Lin’s Lakers’ career might have already come to a close, but a new opportunity is in the horizon as he glances on the possibility of making another dance under the tutelage of a man he called an ‘offensive genius.’