The Dallas Mavericks have been working on a deal the past few days to bring in point guard Jeremy Lin in Big D as a pick-and-roll tandem to center DeAndre Jordan. However, with the All-NBA big man leaning towards re-signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Asian-American star could as well cross-out the Mavericks as his next destination.
Lin, who has been rumored all weekend as the Mavs' next free-agency target after they received verbal commitment from Jordan and Matthews, might not be interested in joining a team that virtually has no shot at playing in the playoffs.
The Mavericks are on verge of imploding after learning that Jordan, by far the biggest free-agency commitment they have in the last five years, is having second thought on his decision to join the Mavericks.
According to several NBA writers, the All-NBA and All-Defensive team center is now leaning towards returning to Los Angeles following conversation with Clippers teammates and a meeting with them and the team's top official on Wednesday in Houston.
The Mavericks already agreed with J.J Barea to a contract worth $5.6 million over two years, a transaction that prevented them to offer Lin a market-level contract. According to Yahoo Sports writer Adrian Wojnarowski, a sign-and-trade with the Lakers is the only option for Mavs to acquire Lin.
"Because the Mavericks are low on the necessary salary-cap space and exceptions to sign Lin to a market-level contract, the sign-and-trade could be needed to secure Lin to a deal," Wojnarowski stated.
Unfortunately, Lin's decision on joining the Mavericks would hinge on the outcome of a frantic two-team race for Jordan's signature. The possibility of playing pick-and-roll with the super athletic Jordan reportedly intrigues the 26-year old Lin, who is considered one of the best playmakers in the league off the pick.
Lin, who averaged 11.2 points and 4.6 assists last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, is also drawing interest from the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.