Jeremy Lin is hitting the open market. After playing one season with the Hornets, Lin declined his $2.2 million team option to return to Charlotte next season and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Jeremy Lin won't take player option, will join free-agent market
The point guard took a two-year, $4.3 million contract with Charlotte last summer, after a less-than-stellar season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he's now coming off one of his best seasons in years, playing a crucial role off the bench with the 48-win Hornets. Dude has earned himself a raise.
Lin averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26.3 minutes per game with Charlotte. Those are actually comparable numbers to his stint in Los Angeles and with the Houston Rockets, but he clearly brought a different energy to the Hornets last season, proving himself as a valuable sixth man.
With the NBA's salary cap expected to jump from $70 million to $94 million, Lin is expected to command some decent coin from a team looking to add a solid, experienced combination guard to their roster.
Lin said after the season that he was interested in returning to Charlotte.
"If you asked me would I be interested in coming back, there's no question in my mind -- it's a resounding yes," Lin told reporters. "I would be very interested in coming back."
Meanwhile, speculation has been swirling for a while around which team could be the best future fit for your favorite Asian American point guard, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and even the New York Knicks. Yes, the birthplace of Linsanity.
Speculate all you want. Jeremy Lin's career up to now has been anything but predictable.
More here: Jeremy Lin Officially Opts Out of Contract With Charlotte Hornets