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In Need of a Point Guard: New York Knicks Should Consider a Jeremy Lin Reunion

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Linsanity, Jun 7, 2014.

  1. Linsanity

    Linsanity Member

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    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2087344-in-need-of-a-point-guard-new-york-knicks-should-consider-a-jeremy-lin-reunion

    In Need of a Point Guard: New York Knicks Should Consider a Jeremy Lin Reunion
    By John Wilmes , Featured Columnist Jun 5, 2014

    Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks have a lot of problems to solve. A surprising amount of them could be answered through the ironic acquisition of one player: Jeremy Lin.

    The Houston Rockets point guard and former Knicks sensation is on the trading block this summer after the emergence of Patrick Beverley in Houston. Lin is gettable, and the Knicks should be looking to make moves themselves to start cleaning up their salary-cap hellscape.

    The Knicks have an astounding $67 million committed to contracts for next season, and that figure rises to $90 million in the unlikely event that Carmelo Anthony opts back into his deal instead of testing free agency. And even if Anthony signs a new contract with his team (still a probable outcome) the Knicks will be similarly committed.

    Frank Franklin II/Associated Press
    Forget the nostalgic warm fuzzies that would come with a Linsanity redux. The practical truth here is that Lin is a more competent point guard than the flabbergasting Raymond Felton and is also coming up on the last year of his contract. Felton is not only slower, older, a lesser defender and shooter, but he's also on contract for another year.

    Regardless of what New York would do with Lin after the 2014-15 season, he can act as a bridge into a more healthy economic reality in which the Knicks have cap space, draft picks and more than two tradeable contracts. This is a brightly shining fantasy for New York fans at this point, and Lin can help them get there.

    Plus, even though the Knicks look to be far from true contention next season, they will need a point guard to somewhat right their ship and create a hospitable environment for youngsters like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert to blossom in. Jackson has already signaled that Felton is on his way out, and Jason Kidd isn’t walking through that door.

    Julie Jacobson/Associated Press
    Say what you want about Lin’s flaws. They’re clear. He’s prone to frustrating streaks with his shooting, and he’s a poor defender. He’s also very prone to turnovers. From Neil Paine at Sports Illustrated:

    It's also fair to point out Lin's propensity for turnovers. This season, 21.8 percent of Lin's individual possessions have ended with him committing a turnover, 16th most among guards with at least 159 minutes. Lin's turnovers tend to come in bunches, too. He already has two eight-turnover games, to go with three more games in which he turned the ball over six times.

    Paine's words are from 2012, but they still largely apply. Lin is not a terribly reliable captain and offense-runner, but his production as a sixth man in Houston last year was actually a notch above his captivating work with the Knicks. He shot the same mark (45 percent) over more games and averaged less turnovers—2.5 per game in Houston to 3.6 in New York.

    Pat Sullivan/Associated Press
    Fans may envision acquiring an elite point guard like Kyle Lowry or Rajon Rondo this offseason, but those are pipe dreams. Lin is clearly a better option than Felton, a mess on the court and off it as well.

    Lin is not just a better player, but a more stable personality. Whatever his shortcomings on the court may be, his positive attitude and responsible behavior would be helpful toward some much-needed culture change, if only for one season.

    Linsanity 2.0 would be a much more sober thing. But if fans can get over all the noxious narrative and media frenzy that would be sure to pile onto the occasion of Lin’s return, they should be able to see the benefits of the unlikely reunion.

    The elephant in the room to any Knicks offseason discussion is, of course, whether Anthony will be back.

    Jackson has appeared less than eager to bend backwards for Anthony and more focused on starting over. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, Jackson said he’s “not losing sleep” over Anthony’s free agency. Jackson also offered Anthony the possibility of opting back in for his final year instead of testing the market, which goes against his long-standing summer wishes.

    Frank Franklin II/Associated Press
    So if the Knicks are going to lose Anthony, the wisest course may be to work a sign-and-trade as opposed to letting him walk for nothing. Conveniently enough, the Rockets—a top Anthony suitor—need to shed Omer Asik and Lin’s salaries (as well as other assets) to make room for another superstar-sized contract.

    The Knicks should consider taking Lin back in such a deal as a plus. Especially if he’s the gravy to what they need more than anything: draft picks.

    Even if Lin doesn't come in an Anthony trade—and 'Melo stays—he still stands as a feasible, healthy and temporary alternative to Felton. Jeremy Lin, once upon a time, helped restore excitement to New York basketball. Now he can help restore (no pun intended) sanity.
     
  2. YallMean

    YallMean Member

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    Sounds like something Kincks would do, swallow the poison pill.
     
  3. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    Meh, bleacher report bs.
     
  4. dobro1229

    dobro1229 Contributing Member

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    Wishful thinking for Rockets fans, LOFer's, and the New York media.

    Not sure Phil is going to act that desperate in his first trade/acquisition as president.

    However if Lin somehow finds his way back to MSG for longer than a cameo that's probably good for the Rockets cause it most likely means the Rockets were able to get a S&T done for Melo, but the deal wouldn't be done because the Knicks want Lin back, it would be done out of necessity on their end to take back expiring salary first and foremost.... getting Linsanity 2.0 would be a hopeful subplot.
     
  5. Linsanity

    Linsanity Member

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    Jeremy should sign a buyout without Rockets. And the sign as a FA to Knicks...
     
  6. dobro1229

    dobro1229 Contributing Member

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    Still would count against the Rockets cap & hurt their ability to make a move. There is no point for the Rockets to waive him, and there is absolutely no way the Knicks or any other team pay Lin what he'd be giving up to get out of the contract with the Rockets in a buyout situation.

    He must go via trade. If the Rockets strike out in July there is little doubt in my mind that he finishes out the year with the Rockets as well.
     
  7. Rox23

    Rox23 Member

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    Is this article to suggest that the Knicks should trade Lin for Felton + scrubs? What exactly do the Rox get out of it besides losing Lin's services?
     
  8. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    Why would the Rockets or Lin do this?

    Unless Lin gives up essentially all of the money owed to him, which players very rarely ever do, the team won't gain any meaningful cap room via a buyout. In fact, it would be worse for the team because by keeping Lin (or Asik), he not only can still fill in minutes for the team, but also constitutes an expiring contract that can be used in a midseason trade. On the other hand, if bought out, his buyout amount becomes a "dead salary" that weighs on the payroll and cannot be used in a trade.

    And how does a buyout work with the balloon contract anyway? If Lin gives up, say, $2M out of the $15M owed to him, does his cap hit of $8.4M also drop by $2M or does it remain at $8.4M? Is there a retroactive impact on the prior years?
     
  9. King1

    King1 Contributing Member

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    Yeah, we aren't going to be able to get over again on the Knicks with Phil there. He isn't taking our garbage
     
  10. Linsanity

    Linsanity Member

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    I thought because of Rockets salary circumstance, they are able to give him 8mil each year for 3 years. So he is only due 8 mill from Rockets, but the salary cap is still count as the 15million
     
  11. dznutz

    dznutz Member

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    jeremy doesn't fit the triangle unless they bring back pringles
     
  12. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    This is not a good blog post.
     
  13. Pizza_Da_Hut

    Pizza_Da_Hut I put on pants for this?

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    Other way around. Rockets pay him $15 mil, his cap hit is only 8.
     
  14. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Meh Phillip has already made mistakes..

    First he tried to hire Steve Kerr (strike one)
    Then got hosed by Kerr when he backed out of an agreement..
    Then talked about getting Melo to sign for less money..
     
  15. da_juice

    da_juice Member

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    Yeah, I could see it too. Although there's a lot of decent point guards on the free agency market. If they strike out though we'd have a chance.

    The big problem if we do end up trading Lin to the Knicks is that they don't have any Lin size contracts. If they don't give us Melo then we'd have to take back either JR Smith or Felton for it to work- in which case we'd be better off with Lin.

    The only way it works is if the Knicks (sans us getting Melo, which would probably require a 3rd team or a S&T of Parsons) can find a taker for Bargnani or Stoudemire (doubtful) or are willing to part with Chandler.
     
  16. Pizza_Da_Hut

    Pizza_Da_Hut I put on pants for this?

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    It's really interesting to think Lin could go back to NYC. It's more of a pipe dream if you ask me. It's slightly more likely than LeBron going back to Cleveland, but still not too likely. Jackson will be really measured in his decisions from here on out. Omer Asik is a great pickup, but Lin, not as much. Unless Houston were to sweeten the deal with picks or taking back some dreadful contracts (fatty Felton could be on that list) this deal doesn't seem to resonate as a good one for both sides. Sure, Melo could come to Houston, then maybe he would be willing to be in a deal for Asik/Lin/Filler (Maybe Chandler Parsons?)/Picks, but even that price could be too high for the Rockets. At face value this deal has two sides, one benefiting the Knicks at the Rocket's expense, the other benefiting the Rockets at the Knicks expense.
     
  17. Raven

    Raven Member

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    It shouldn't surprise anyone if Jackson calls his bluff and dares him to leave money on the table. If that happens, I think Carmelo stays in NY.
     
  18. Karolik

    Karolik Member

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    won't happen. Makes too much sense for Rocket fans.
     
  19. King1

    King1 Contributing Member

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    I don't like Kerr either but he was just going to be Phil's puppet. Coaching without without all the rigors that come along with it.
    Phil took that fine. He didn't get hosed on that. Especially if you agree Kerr isn't a good coach.
    Typical Phil mind games. Doesn't matter at all.

    Trading for Lin would be a huge screw up. I hope I'm wrong and he does it but I don't see anyone (let alone Phil) taking him unless we toss in our first.
     
  20. khyberjones

    khyberjones Member

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    If the Knicks had Lin running the point with Felton or Prigioni as the backup, they would've easily made the playoffs this year and probably would've reached the conference finals (assuming the draw didn't match them up with Miami earlier). For all this talk about why the Knicks had such a bad year, you could really pinpoint their backcourt as the singular reason why, especially Felton. Although Phil has never had play-making PGs on his teams, Lin would fit his profile in terms of size, speed, intelligence and ability to make plays late in the shot clock.
     

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