Jeremy Lin (Photo : Getty Images)
Orlando Magic point guard Brandon Jennings. (Photo : Getty Images)
The revival of Linsanity seems like a nice storybook ending but as long as Carmelo Anthony has his way, it will only be a work of fiction.
Jeremy Lin is becoming a coveted free agent because of his stellar play with the Charlotte Hornets. It's not just his performance on the court but also his unselfish attitude and willingness to come off the bench that has caught the interest of other teams. Amid players and coaches bickering over playing time and usage, Lin would be a breath of fresh air.
Jeff Hornacek is a point guard coach. He even had three players rotating with the Phoenix Suns at one point-Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. Perhaps it was too much of a gamble but for some long stretches, Hornacek made it work.
Thus Jeremy Lin could thrive with the New York Knicks' new coach. With the team in need for a point guard and Lin with a player option to become a free agent, the deal could be sealed, right?
This was discussed in Fansided who mentioned that "Lin is familiar with the spread offense and can be the up-tempo guard the team needs." However, there is a major snag in this plan.
Carmelo Anthony, whether he admits it or not, will probably veto the proposal. Despite the pride of Phil Jackson, there is no doubt that in their last contract signing, the keys to the team were given to Melo. With a no-trade clause in his contract, Melo holds all the leverage.
In an article by Marc Berman of the NY Post, he identified the Knicks' point guard targets and for Lin, he can't help but mention Anthony.
"Might love a Garden return if Carmelo Anthony signs off on it. Once excelled in an offense similar to Jeff Hornacek's."
That's an accurate description but Lin has already mentioned that he would rather stay in Charlotte, saying that money is not the deciding factor and he might be willing to take a discount. There are skeptics who still think that Lin will choose the team that will give him both the money and opportunity to excel.
While the Knicks could be that team, there would be other suitors and Lin may choose another team who would embrace his presence than the Knicks with Carmelo.
It seems like the best option would be Brandon Jennings who is a "scoring point guard has big upside in right situation." Jennings is an Oak Hill Academy product like Carmelo Anthony and another free agent point guard, Rajon Rondo.
If the Knicks are "stuck" with Carmelo, they have no choice but to sign a point guard he can get along with. Melo has preferred Rondo but he does not seem to be interested in the Knicks based on his former comments. Jennings is a more likely possibility.
