Los Angeles Lakers: Buyout A Good Idea For Jeremy Lin?

ByJackson Sanders|

Feb 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) drives to the basket as he is defended by Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

With the recent news of Amar’e Stoudemire‘s buyout from the New York Knicks, it’s possible that Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin could receive the same treatment.

The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney acknowledges that while the Los Angeles Lakers would love to trade Lin, the market has been underwhelming. It makes sense given his contract’s cap number (around $8 million), and the fact that most teams that could actually use the point guard for a playoff run would have difficulty swinging a trade that works for both parties because of that number.

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It doesn’t help that the former star of “Linsanity” has been a poor fit for the Lakers this season, was relegated to the bench behind Ronnie Price earlier in the season and is now backing up starter Jordan Clarkson.

Jeremy Lin certainly expected more out of this season, as did the Los Angeles Lakers, and it’s clear that the teams will be going their separate ways in the offseason. It’s fair to wonder where this situation will end up should the Lakers be unsuccessful in finding a trade partner for Lin before the deadline.

One solution could be to buyout the point guard’s contract, allowing him to sign with a playoff team, and make his case for a new contract through his performance in the playoffs.

While no such discussions have been reported, it would be worth consideration for both parties.

For Jeremy Lin, the benefits are quite clear. He would get the opportunity to choose his next team, and would be playing essentially the same role he does now, except with the luxury of doing so for a playoff contender. Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Miami Heat would certainly be interested given their backup point guard situations.

The chance to prove that his time with the Lakers was the result of poor fit rather than his ability, and the opportunity to make an impression on teams through becoming an impact player off the bench for a good team once again could have effects on Lin’s financial future.

For the Lakers, not getting anything for Jeremy Lin could be seen as a setback of sorts, but the reality is that he’s not in the team’s plans going forward. The difference between Lin leaving during this regular season and waiting until free agency to hit is basically nothing for the Lakers; the end result is the same.

In this case, the team simply does right by the player, allowing him to move on from a situation that isn’t exactly benefiting either party.

It’s true that Jeremy Lin, along with Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis, has helped form one of the more formidable bench units in the NBA. But the minutes that Lin contributes for the Lakers are rather meaningless; the team has been long removed from any type of playoff contention, and any type of momentum he gains with the team likely won’t matter from the Lakers perspective anyways given the writing on the wall.

If the Lakers do buyout the contract of Jeremy Lin, they could fill his roster spot with a younger player as a tryout for the 2015-16 season. With a few intriguing prospects on their D-League roster, this option could benefit the evaluation of a number of those players (note: guard Jabari Brown, Jordan Clarkson’s college teammate, would be an intriguing option).

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, and the Lakers running out of time to find a suitable deal for Jeremy Lin, a buyout could be a scenario to seriously consider for both parties.

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