Jeremy Lin is an ideal trade asset for the Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets point guard Jeremy Lin could very well be the “lever” that activates a flurry of trade discussions around the league. It’s time to examine how the 28-year-old could set the Nets up for future success.
It’s a little quiet on the free agency front, but that doesn’t stop NBA experts from stirring the pot when evaluating potential trade assets during the season.
The Brooklyn Nets have one in particular to keep an eye on as we enter the 2017-18 season: point guard Jeremy Lin.
Yes, Lin only played in 36 games last season after suffering a slew of hamstring injuries, averaging 14.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per contest. But his leadership on the court and ability to adapt to Kenny Atkinson’s pace-and-space offense makes him an ideal target for teams looking to make a late-season charge in either the Western or Eastern Conference.
Lin’s contract, not to mention, is another asset-worthy bullet point on his player resumé, as he will make an even $12 million this season, with a player option for $12.5 million next summer. Barring injury, Lin is sure to opt out after seeing the likes of Dion Waiter, Joe Ingles and others ink $50+ million deals this offseason.
So, what does a potential trade market look like for the 28-year-old Lin?
In a recent column from ESPN senior writer Zach Lowe, the former Grantland writer mentioned Jeremy Lin as one potential trade asset the Nets could use to facilitate a Kyrie Irving trade:
"“That theoretical Denver package doesn’t net LeBron a traditional point guard ready to handle as much of the heavy lifting as Irving has. The Nuggets could rope in Brooklyn for a three-team trade in which Cleveland would receive Jeremy Lin, Chandler, Harris and a pick — with the Nets gobbling up unwanted money, including Shumpert, for draft assets. Denver might keep Murray in this scenario, but they’d have to send out picks.”"
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, acquiring a point guard like Lin, who is used to playing off-ball and in the “shadows” of an All-Star (circa 2015-16, playing sixth man to Kemba Walker with the Charlotte Hornets), makes all the sense in the world. Cleveland receives a future pick and an up-and-coming Gary Harris to add to a veteran-heavy Cavaliers roster.
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However, for the Nets’ brass, there’s a general intrigue about seeing what a Jeremy Lin-D’Angelo Russell backcourt could look like, as Lowe noted.
"“There have been no rumblings yet about Lin, or the Nets’ participation as a third wheel in any Irving deal, league sources say. The bond between Kenny Atkinson, Brooklyn’s coach, and Lin runs deep, and the Nets want to see how D’Angelo Russell looks next to Lin.”"
With all the Lin hype comes more intrigue around the league about where the Nets potentially stand with the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent next summer (should Lin opt out). It would make sense for the Nets, considering their timeline to build a sustainable, winning organization, that Lin be used as a “lever” in many potential trade scenarios.
"“Lin could be the lever that activates three-team deals here, too, with Brooklyn extracting draft picks to absorb Cole Aldrich and perhaps one other small salary. Minnesota has only 11 players under contract, meaning a 3-for-1 deal would leave them with half a roster. Maybe that is Tom Thibodeau’s fever dream, so that he can play everyone 40-plus minutes.”"
Surely, the Nets are not considering Lin to be untouchable. As NetsDaily’s own Anthony Puccio notes, Caris LeVert and D’Angelo Russell are the only true “untouchables” on the roster, signaling a commitment to building with youth, either via the draft or through future salary dumps.
As we continue to plow forward and will soon start evaluating training camps around the NBA, one thing is for sure with the Nets: They have a proven, potential future asset/obtainable player in Jeremy Lin, who could command a decent haul despite his player option after the 2017-18 season.
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The Nets will be creative, flexible and exhaust all options. It could very well start with getting a read on which teams could benefit from Lin’s services this season.