Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin is in the final year of his current contract, making him unrestricted free-agent next season. Although many basketball pundits think the Asian-American guard is going to be just a one-year rental for the purple-and-gold as they look for upgrades in the free-agency market next summer, there's a greater chance he would stay than leave Hollywood.
After a slow start, the 26-year old Lin appears to have finally settled down after tumultuous first month with the Lakers. The Asian American has been putting pretty good numbers as of late, averaging at least 15 points and 5 dimes in his last five games.
His new-found consistency has drawn the attention of Lakers head coach Byron Scott and star Kobe Bryant, who have assumed the role as a mentor for Lin since the start of training camp.
Like any other player on his final year of his deal, there are plenty of speculations about Lin's future with the Lakers. While the possibility of being traded for a younger prospect is always there, Lin might actually end his 2014-15 NBA campaign in purple-and-gold uniform, and perhaps even beyond that.
With a salary cap room of around $35M next summer, the Lakers are expected to spend a bulk of it for upgrades. All-Star caliber guards like Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics and even budding playmaker Brandon Knick would certainly pique the interest of Lakers GM Mitch Kupchack.
Then again, the Lakers might not look for a new point guard after all. Instead of spending $15 million per year for these incoming free-agents guard, Kupchack could use that amount of money to strengthen their frontline, which has been the biggest problem for the Lakers this season.
The Lakers severely lacks quality big bodies in their lineup. Jordan Hill and Ed Davis have been pretty solid so far, but the team doesn't have a legit rebounder & rim protector that could anchor their defense on the shaded lane.
Next summer, there are plenty of defensive oriented centers available, starting the brother of former Lakers forward Pau Gasol and current MVP contender, Marc Gasol to someone just around the corner in Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan. There are also versatile big dudes like LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons and Al Jefferson of the Charlotte Hornets.
Adding talents at small forward is another top priority for the Lakers next shopping period, and again, there are lots of talents available like Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs or Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls.
In short, the Lakers have lots of holes to fill in the frontline that they might stick with Lin for long-term. It's true that Lin is not rated as high as Dragic, Rondo or Jackson, but neither was Derek Fisher, who helped the Lakers win its last five championships.
Lin might not be as athletic or flashy as other athletic point guards, but he brings his 100 percent every single game. Yes, he's having some rough moments with Kobe Bryant but the Black Mamba stressed that he really likes Lin a lot because he never succumbs to any criticism.
Moreover, staying put in Los Angeles would be a win-win deal for both parties as Lin's business continues to capitalize on huge Asian-American market in the city while the Lakers could get a home discount by re-signing him to a cap-friendly deal using the mid-level exception provision (worth $5M to $7M per season).
A Harvard-produced baller, Lin is indeed a smart man. And next offseason, his high I.Q will eventually guide him to where he truly belongs - with the Lakers.
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