Jeremy Lin is playing the best basketball of his career in the 2016 NBA Playoffs that it’s impossible to see him leave the Charlotte Hornets this offseason.
Repeated NBA rumors of the Asian-American guard returning to either the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks are making their usual rounds in the rumor mill but the possibility of him signing with another NBA team is close to impossible with “Linsanity” being relived in Charlotte.
Here are 3 reasons why Jeremy Lin is sticking with the Michael Jordan-owned team next season:
1. Linsanity in Charlotte in the playoffs
After struggling in the first two games of their series versus the Miami Heat, Jeremy Lin has become arguably the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the Hornets in the last three games because of his scoring and overall all-around good game.
Lin scored 9 and 11 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively and both were blowout losses. In the last three games, he has scored 18, 21 and 11 and all came in wins as the Hornets now lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2. Lin shot just 4-of-10 from the field in Game 5 but he also had 6 rebounds and 7 assists plus a crucial long two-pointer that gave the Hornets a chance to steal the victory on the road.
2. Jeremy Lin values winning over money
Jeremy Lin is considered one of the good guys in the league and one who has always played the game the right way and is also conscious of his image on and off the court. Lin signed a two-year deal worth about $4.3 million last season with the Hornets hoping to get major playing time and role with the team both in the regular season and playoffs.
Despite some issues with his role in the regular season, Lin’s potential as a sixth man has been realized as he has been one of the consistent top reserves in the league this year. His playoff explosion back to Linsanity form also speaks well of his relationship with head coach Steve Clifford and how he will be used by the franchise as a player.
Choosing the Lakers or Knicks and returning to one of his former teams will be against what Lin’s value most as a player and that is choosing money over basketball. Lin is playing great basketball in Charlotte and winning that it’s impossible to think that he will choose to return to rebuilding and losing teams like Los Angeles or New York.
Jeremy Lin has a player option in his contract for next season. However, if the Hornets continue winning in the playoffs, expect Lin to stay in Charlotte and delay free agency and potentially signing with teams like the Lakers or Knicks.
Jeremy Lin and the Hornets will host the Miami Heat on Friday when they have a chance to move on to the next round of the NBA Playoffs.
