When last summer’s free agency period began, you would’ve gotten a strange look if you said Jeremy Lin would have been the Los Angeles Lakers big acquisition. The team is 22 games in, and neither Lin nor the Los Angeles Lakers know what the future holds for either party.
The team is taking on his $14.7 million salary from the Houston Rockets, as well as his lore of “Linsanity.” Lin is potentially playing his last season with the team, and judging from his performance this year, he may only have few suitors in next year’s free agency.
Averages of 11.1 points and four assists per game are solid numbers, but not enough to move the needle. After succeeding Steve Nash as a starter, Lin has been up and down this season. Take for example an 1-point, 11-assist game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 29 compared to a scoreless game against the Washington Wizards on Dec. 3.
Lin has been replaced in the starting lineup by Ronnie Price, who started the year as a non-guaranteed contract player and has averaged less than four points per game this year. Lin is the type of player who needs confidence in himself and from the coaching staff. Last season with the Houston Rockets mirrors this year in a similar fashion.
The last thing that Lin wants to be seen as is a potential trading chip for the Lakers. At only 26 years of age, he presumably has plenty of basketball ahead of himself. The Lakers aren’t exactly boasting any prospects to push Lin out of the door.
Next year’s free agent class doesn’t include many point guards outside of Rajon Rondo that can change a team’s fortunes. Lin should be playing for more years in Los Angeles as a piece to their puzzle of building foundation. Even as a backup, he can still be make his presence felt on the court.
What can Jeremy Lin do to salvage his season and career? For starters, he must prove that no matter his role, he can contribute. Lin may not be suited to lead a team on a nightly basis, but under the right circumstances, he can prove he is a better player than he has shown over the last few years.
As the Lakers backup point guard, he must have more games like Friday’s victory against the Spurs (14 points and 8 assists).
As the year continues forward, Lin will grind out the rest of this season. While he may not have a solid plan going forward, Lin has one thing to his advantage, and that’s his serviceable abilities. As stated, there is a place for Lin on almost any roster when you think of injuries and depth necessity.
We are in the golden age of point guards, but even those great players need the kind of guy like Lin; a player willing to spare them a few minutes of playmaking or play alongside them. Surround Lin with the right talents, and maybe you get a glimpse of his days as a New York Knick.
Right now, he is trying to balance out things in the famed lights of Los Angeles. It’s an unbelievable journey all over again.