Jeremy Lin. (Photo : Getty Images)
The rumors about NBA free agency have teams moving on from burned bridges.
There are rumblings about Dwight Howard returning to the Orlando Magic and even Phil Jackson returning to the LA Lakers.
So why not having Linsanity 2.0 in Madison Square Garden?
It can be recalled that last October, the issues between Jeremy Lin and the Knicks were recounted by Stefan Bondy of NY Daily News. Lin's agent reached out to the Knicks in the offseason and they were rejected.
"There was no conversation other than them telling me they weren't interested," Lin said, but he reiterates he is open to the idea.
Perhaps the main reason for the Knicks refusal is that team owner James Dolan was still mad at him for leaving. But Lin confides that he was never really on speaking terms with Dolan, all the more now because Dolan handed the reins over to Phil Jackson.
"Honestly, I haven't really had much communication with him. So I don't really have much of an impression of him," Lin said. "(There's no animosity) from my perspective. I understand. And I understand why it happened. But no animosity. To be honest, I'm very much past it."
Now that the Knicks are out of the playoffs for the third straight year and badly needing a point guard, Jeremy Lin is also a free agent. As basketball is a business, why should the Knicks let personal matters get in the way of their pursuit to win?
One major stumbling block is the presence of Carmelo Anthony. The issue between the Knicks superstar and Lin was unearthed in late February when Amare Stoudemire, a former teammate revealed that Carmelo was "jealous" of Lin's sudden rise to popularity and his possible role in the team in this ESPN report.
"But everyone wasn't a fan of him(Lin) being the new star, so he didn't stay long," Stoudemire said. "But Jeremy was a great, great guy. Great teammate. He worked hard. He put the work in, and we're proud of him to have his moment."
With the current spate of trade rumors involving Carmelo Anthony and Melo's own admission that he is disappointed with the team, if he decides to waive his no-trade clause for any team, it is explored that Jeremy Lin could actually be an option.
The Knicks will chase point guards on the market, but Mike Conley is most likely to stay in Memphis as they are a playoff team despite the injuries. Rajon Rondo has publicly declined to play in the triangle. Lin is the next option as he won't be a starter in Charlotte because of Kemba Walker's stellar play.
Curiously, Lin could return to New York even if the Knicks don't sign him. The Brooklyn Nets are also on the hunt for a point guard and they don't have an issue with Lin.
