Jeremy Lin: Does veteran guard have an NBA future?

After Jeremy Lin recently discussed his NBA mortality in front of a Taiwanese audience, it’s fair to wonder whether the oft-injured guard has a future playing in the NBA.

In February 2012, Jeremy Lin was atop headlines with arguably the most unlikely and miraculous rise to prominence in NBA history with “Linsanity.” Injuries forced the New York Knicks to increase Lin’s workload and he took advantage of the opportunity.

In Lin’s first start against the Utah Jazz, he put up 28 points and eight assists on 10-for-17 shooting.

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Adding to his legend, Lin dropped 38 points and seven assists on the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden after Kobe Bryant infamously stated that the Harvard graduate’s recent play hadn’t moved him.

In storybook fashion, Lin closed the incredible week off by hitting a game-winning shot to beat the Toronto Raptors.

While Lin continued his solid play for the Knicks, a tear in his knee would go on to derail his glamorous season. The injury did not, however, prevent Lin from garnering a three-year, $25 million offer sheet from the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley.

The poison-pill contract structure put Lin’s play into increased scrutiny during his time in Houston. After mixed results in two seasons with the Rockets, Lin was traded to the Lakers.

With three years of sample size in tow, it seemed as if Lin wasn’t quite worth the starter money he’d been given, but he definitely still had a role in the NBA.

In the 2015-16 season, Lin averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 41.2 percent shooting from the field for the Charlotte Hornets.

The production was actually very similar to his play at previous stops, but he finally proved to be a reliable bench scorer behind Kemba Walker.

Lin’s play during this season led to a lucrative contract with the Brooklyn Nets for three years at $36 million, ESPN’s Chris Broussard and Marc Stein reported.

After an injury-plagued first season with the Nets, in which he only played 36 games, Lin’s injury luck somehow worsened the following year. In the 2017-18 season opener, Lin ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee against the Indiana Pacers, according to SI’s Khadrice Rollins.

Lin’s expiring contract was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2018’s offseason to provide veteran leadership for a young roster. Atlanta Hawk guard Trae Young recently vouched for Lin’s team-oriented approach in the locker room.

https://twitter.com/TheTraeYoung/status/1155512554678099974

While Lin’s veteran guidance was rightfully appreciated, he was waived by the Hawks in February and found a landing spot with the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors.

Though his season ended in an NBA championship, Lin struggled throughout his short stint in Canada and only appeared during garbage time of eight playoff games.

Lin, who has been open about his struggle with mental health, tearfully discussed the lack of NBA interest he has received during this offseason, according to The New York Times‘ Benjamin Hoffman.

"“In English there’s a saying and it says once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up. But rock bottom just seems to keep getting more and more rock bottom for me. So, free agency has been tough. Because I feel like in some ways the NBA’s kind of given up on me.”"

Currently, the NBA is in an offseason lull with the majority of roster spots being filled. It’s tough to see Lin getting a guaranteed contract for the upcoming season and it’s more likely that he’d be given a non-guaranteed training camp invite.

Another option, given the cool interest from NBA teams, is that Lin attempts to play overseas for a season. To this point, Lin has reportedly received interest to play for CSKA Moscow of the VTB United League and EuroLeague, per Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.

Lin’s history of exceptional veteran leadership and playoff experience alone will be an attractive option for an NBA team dealing with injuries during the season.

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If Lin can show NBA teams that he can still play and stay healthy, a successful stint overseas could allow him to attract an offer for the 2020-21 NBA season.