Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (Photo : REUTERS)
Jeremy Lin, who will test the free-agency waters in July, may need to accept a contract less lucrative than the three-year, $25 million deal he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2012 in order for him to find his new home this offseason, according to Bleacher Report writer Bryan Toporek.
Toparek listed the 26-year old Lin among the 12 incoming free-agents likely to take a pay-cut this summer. Although these players are pretty much relevant in their own right, the Bleacher Report NBA analyst thinks these are the ones who could sell their services at bargain price following a subpar 2014-15 NBA season.
After pocketing a career-high $15 million paycheck last season, Lin realized that his next contract may not be as gaudy as his previous one, especially with the way his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers went down.
After two seasons with the Rockets, the former Harvard standout was shipped to the Lakers last summer in a salary-saving move by Houston GM Daryl Morey in order to improve their roster. While he managed to clinch a starting job at point guard during training camp, Lin lost his role to journeyman Ronnie Price 20 games into the season. He spent the last three months under Byron Scott's doghouse before a burst late in the season upped his averages to 11.1 points, 4.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 25 minutes of action per game.
In an interview with Eric Pincus of Los Angeles Times in Mid-April, Lin realized he won't be getting an 8-figure offer this summer, though he stressed that doesn't worry it at all as long as he finds a place 'where he can fit in.'
While Lin is expected to draw serious amount of offers this season, the fact that he's going to ask less money would make him a more intriguing free-agency target. NBA contenders such as Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors would be willing to save a portion of their cap space for Lin, while the Philadelphia Sixers and Denver Nuggets may do the same thing as well to get his services.
At this moment, a short-term deal would be ideal for Lin if he wants to get more cash down the road. With the value of every NBA contract blowing up in 2016, playing for a great environment where he can reach his full potential within the next two seasons could be big not only for his career, but his pocket as well.
