As for Lin, sure, it would have been a nice way for the Nets to twist the blade into the New York Knicks just a bit, but it also would have been a significant downgrade at the point guard position, considering Lin can't guard an empty room, much less another living, breathing NBA point guard.
Source: sports.yahoo.com/news/deron-williams-deal-houston-rockets-likely-dead-good-223300086--nba.html