Miami Heat center (Photo : Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin - He has been rated the no.4 point guard among incoming free-agent this summer by the Vertical of Yahoo Sports NBA writer Bobby Marks. The 27-year old Lin is playing the first of two-year contract he signed with the Charlotte Hornets last offseason, but can opt out of the second year of the deal to test the free-agency waters.
According to Marks, Lin's performance throughout the season as one of the top point guards coming off the bench has significantly improved his free-agency stock, giving him more leverage to demand a nice pay hike this offseason.
"One of the top point guards coming off the bench this season. Lin has found a nice role with coach Steve Clifford. Player option with non-Bird rights means Charlotte will have a hard time affording him," according to Marks.
On the other hand, the Vertical analyst believes Hornets would be having a hard time retaining the service of Lin with several teams starting to realize the former Harvard standout's true market value.
Lin is averaging at least 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists this season.
Potential interested teams: Hornets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets
-Hassan Whiteside proves that last year's performance isn't a fluke as he continues to rack up double-double this season for the Miami Heat. He's averaging 14.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 29 minutes per game.
However, the Miami Heat haven't shown indication if they are interested to keep Whiteside this summer. This is largely because they are still hoping Kevin Durant will take a bite of Pat Riley's vision of a super-team.
Potential interested teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets
-Harrison Barnes will be getting a lot of money this offseason. This is what Golden State Warriors teammate Andrew Bogut predicted for his teammate as he enters free-agency (restricted). Barnes, a former lottery pick out of North Carolina, is putting up solid numbers (11.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg) despite playing the fourth-wheel role behind Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Potential Interested Teams: Lakers, Nets, Knicks, Wizards
