Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (Photo : REUTERS/GARY A. VASQUEZ)
Jeremy Lin's incoming free-agency will be one of the most intriguing storylines this summer. After up-and-down seasons in Texas and Los Angeles, the 26-year old guard faces perhaps the most crucial offseason in his career, and it requires him to make the right choice to keep himself relevant in the league.
While a handful of teams have reportedly shown some interest, Lin's former team, the Houston Rockets and his first NBA team, the Golden State Warriors, present the best opportunity of playing for an established title contender.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob admitted in previous interviews that he regretted letting Lin walk away five years ago and stressed that he won't rule out the possibility of re-acquiring him if the situation permits. On the other hand, several sources indicated the Rockets as a serious suitor for the Asian-American star despite dumping him and his $8 million expiring contract to Los Angeles last summer.
The Warriors are on the brink of punching their way to their first NBA finals appearance since 1975 - the franchise's last championship year. Behind regular-season MVP Stephen Curry and no.1 defense in the league, the Warriors bulldozed their way through a very loaded Western Conference.
The Rockets, who finished no.2 in the West at the end of the regular-season, continued to lean on their star duo of James Harden and Dwight Howard. In the second round of the playoffs, Houston pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NBA postseason history after climbing all the way from a 1-3 series hole to stun the Los Angeles Clippers.
No matter what happens on Monday, the Warriors and Rockets are expected to be back for more next season, and both of these teams somewhat views Lin as an integral piece of their title puzzle.
So, which team's better for Lin?
The Warriors are boasting the best backcourt in the NBA with Curry and Thompson leading the most explosive offense in the league. Veteran point guard Shaun Livingston has been solid in backing up Curry, while Leandro Barbosa has provided burst of energy off the bench. However, there are moments during the regular-season when the team relied too much on the starters to produce points. Lin, with his versatility to play either point guard or off-guard position, could be a huge addition to this Warriors team, giving them another scoring option (11.7 points in 26 minutes over his career, per ESPN) in the second unit.
The Rockets, meanwhile, got big time production from veterans such as Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni in the wake of Patrick Beverley's season-ending wrist injury. Still, both of these guards are playing in their late 30s' and it would be hard to depend on their weary legs.
Lin, at 26-year old, is capable of providing a little bit of everything (scoring, assists and rebounds) in extended minutes. Defense remains the weakest part of his game, but Lin has been one of the top stealers (at 1.3 steals per game) in the game year-in and year out. Moreover, Lin agreed that Rockets up-tempo offense simply suits his run-and-gun playing style.
Playing for both the Warriors and Rockets are certainly enticing idea, but Houston seems to have the thing Lin is still craving the most - A shot at becoming a starter again.
While the Warriors give him the better chance of winning his first championship, the Rockets starting point guard spot will be up for grabs with Beverley's free-agency looming. Lin said he had nightmares after losing his starting job to both Beverley and Ronnie Price in back-to-back seasons. With the Rockets, he will get a chance at vindication, reclaiming back what he lost two years ago.
