Jeremy Lin (Photo : Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin could end up with the Brooklyn Nets if the now former Charlotte Hornets guard decide to consider New York as his destination in free agency.
Lin opted out of his two-year $4.3 million contract with the Hornets to explore free agency this summer, giving him a chance to join a team where he could reach his "full potential." One of the potential options Lin ponders is the New York Knicks, where he officially started his NBA stardom.
But while Lin is open to a reunion with the Knicks for another run of "Linsanity," Lin believes it will be unlikely New York pursues him, with the team already landed Derrick Rose in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bulls.
"It's not looking likely, because they just traded for Derrick Rose," Lin told World Economic Forum. "But I will say that ever since I left, I've always been open to going back and I still am. Never say never, that's the one thing in the NBA, never say never. So I've always been open, but right now, I'm not sure if it's the best timing. But if it happens, it happens."
With the Knicks possibly out Lin's options, there may be a chance he consider the Nets, who have been interested in Lin last year, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
"The Nets are in need of a point guard and had interest in Lin before he landed in Charlotte. Brooklyn has Kenny Atkinson - whom Lin has credited with helping jump-start his career - as head coach," Lewis wrote.
The Nets could offer Lin a more intriguing overall package of a starting role and a more lucrative deal. Brooklyn has a very thin pool of candidates to become the Nets' starting PG next season, with Jarrett Jack coming off a torn ACL and the likes of Shane Larkin and Isaiah Whitehead and Shane Larkin not expected to immediately step on that role. Acquiring Lin would give the Nets a floor commander who is more than capable of playing a starting role when given the opportunity.
Kenny Atkinson, who worked with Lin during their times together in New York, could also be a factor for the free agent guard to prefer the Nets this summer. Lin has plenty of respect to Atkinson after the latter helped him developed his game, which contributed to Lin's remarkable run with the Knicks. Playing for Atkinson could sprout Lin again to establishing himself as one of the elite starting point guards in the league.
"I've kind of been saying it was just a matter of time for him because I know how good he is, I know how much he was there for me in New York," Lin said, reports SB Nation. "When you're around him, you kind of understand there's something different about him: his energy, his passion, the juice he approaches his work with."
There will certainly be plenty of teams set to pursue Lin once the summer market opens, including the Hornets, where Lin found his old niche after a disappointing season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But if it goes down to Lin's ideal destination, it seems the Brooklyn Nets fit the bill.
