by Juan Paolo David
Jeremy Lin is looking forward to the 2017-18 NBA season in what could be the biggest and most important season of his career. Lin can opt out of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets next summer and become a free agent. Jeremy could be looking at the biggest payday of his career if he plays his best basketball next season.
The 28-year-old point guard is due for a bounce back season after an injury-riddled first year in Brooklyn. Jeremy Lin missed a total of 46 games last season because of injuries to his right hamstring and right ankle. Lin put up great numbers when he was on the court and Nets fans got a great look towards the end of the season.
According to the New York Post, the Nets finished the season strong with a record of 11-13 in the final two months. Jeremy Lin was in the middle of it as he led Brooklyn in the offense. Lin and the Nets were having fun playing for Kenny Atkinson and they are expected to improve their NBA-worst record of 20-62 next season.
Jeremy Lin played in a total 36 games this past season. Lin averaged 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals. Jeremy even shot the ball extremely well as he registered a career-high 37.2 percent from three-point territory. He can still improve his jumper and he can even be more aggressive next season as the Nets are going to surround him with better players.
However, it’s not only going to be a bounce-back season for Jeremy Lin but also the most important of his career. Andrew Hughes of FanSided believes that Lin’s player option for the 2018-19 NBA season is a big factor in the future of the player and the franchise. If Lin stays healthy and posts career numbers next season while the Nets struggle to win games, he can leave Brooklyn and hit the open market once again.
“Lin is 28-years-old. He can remain patient with the Nets for a few years if winning in Brooklyn means more to him than just winning in general. There is no reason to believe there is any trouble in paradise. If Lin is able to have a career year being Atkinson’s high-usage floor general though, things may change in a hurry.”
Anything can happen in free agency despite the comments made by Jeremy Lin about wanting to stay in Brooklyn for the long term. Lin signed a three-year, $36 million deal last summer after a great season with the Charlotte Hornets that saw him came in seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. Jeremy chose Brooklyn because of Kenny Atkinson and the fact that he wants to become a starter again.
When Lin was on the court, the Nets played with consistency and confidence because of his playmaking skills. Brook Lopez stayed healthy and he was his usual productive self. Lopez and Lin need more talent around them and the Nets’ roster moves this summer is vital factors in the future of both stars. Lopez is in the final season of his contract and Lin has a player option.
In an interview with Chinese website JP.com (h/t Newsday), Jeremy Lin believes that the Nets have a lot of options in free agency. Lin revealed that five of his former teammates have contacted him regarding the atmosphere of the Nets locker room and they appear to be interested in joining the Nets.
“I have about five of my past teammates who already texted me, asking if I could recommend them so that they could be traded and play with us. For players, the most important thing is for us to be happy inside. I know a lot of players on different teams who could be winning games, but they’re really unhappy.”
However, Jeremy Lin did not reveal his teammates’ names but several players like J.J. Redick and Milos Teodosic have been linked with Brooklyn. The Nets have the money to sign better players in free agency and it’s one of the main factors in the big decision by Lin next summer.
