Jeremy Lin reportedly signed an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets on Friday, giving the New York Knicks three days to match.
Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday tweeted on Friday:
According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, the Rockets changed their original four-year, $28 million offer and backloaded the third year of the deal.
Aldridge tweeted on Friday:
Lin, a restricted free agent, averaged 18.2 points, 7.7 assists and 2.0 steals in 25 starts for the Knicks last season while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and 34 percent from downtown. Although he wasn't available for the playoffs due to injury, he was a big part of the Knicks making the playoffs, as they racked up wins late in the season once he took charge of the offense.Â
The Rockets were smart to backload the offer, but it likely won't sway the Knicks from matching, as Aldridge mentioned. New York is prepared to break the bank for Lin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler in 2014, whose combined salaries threaten to place them in luxury tax territory. Then again, Lin does bring a lot of money to the franchise off the court as a marketing icon.
Will the Knicks match?
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Yes
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No
If the Knicks match, they will have the recently-acquired Jason Kidd to mentor the 23-year-old floor general. In fact, when the Knicks signed Kidd, the writing was essentially on the wall that they would be bringing back Lin.
For the Rockets, it's certainly worth a shot to pry Lin from New York. At the very least, they will make life difficult for the Knicks in 2014.Â
It's going to be interesting what the Knicks do next, with Lin's offer sheet and down the road.
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