Jeremy Lin was one of the better-regarded point guards in this year’s free agent class, and it didn’t take him that long to decide on his new landing spot. He’s returning to New York, only to play across the East River in Brooklyn this time.
The journey continues…thankful for the next chapter!! #Godisgood pic.twitter.com/1PLutlFbyO
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) July 1, 2016
Hearing Jeremy Lin landed a three-year deal worth $36 million from Brooklyn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2016
Sources: Lin's three-year, $36M deal with Nets includes a player option on third year, trade kicker and bonuses.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2016
Lin was looking for a place to start, and he’ll presumably get it in Brooklyn. There’s another reason he may have chosen the Nets, as well:
Makes sense. Kenny Atkinson worked extensively with him while both were with the Knicks. https://t.co/ICLTeLws2y
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2016
$12 million a year is eminently reasonable for a starting point guard in this market, especially considering the Lakers (hilariously) gave Timofey Mozgov, who was unplayable down the stretch for the Cavs, $16 million per year over four years. Lin showed improvement on the defensive end under Steve Clifford’s tutelage in Charlotte, and he’s a reasonable outside shooter who can also penetrate for free throws from time to time.
Without any draft picks or stars, the Nets’ rebuild will plod along for years. There’s a good chance Lin is betting on his starting job, and his relationship with Atkinson, into producing career-best numbers for two years before he opts out and jumps back into a team that might contend, but who knows – maybe the Nets can surprise everyone, grab a couple other competent players and fight for the eighth seed in the East. It’s better than what they had last year, at least.