Word is that Jeremy Lin may be returning to the Houston Rockets. He of the Linsanity of 2012 has reportedly agreed to terms on a four year deal “worth $10.2 million over the first two seasons and $9.3 million in each of the last two years. The fourth season is a team option.”
Lin is currently a restricted free agent with the New York Knicks. Famously, the 23-year old 6’3″ point guard caused mass-hysteria with an improbable run which turned around the fortunes of the the Knicks and made him an international star. The Rockets can not officially make the offer until 11 July, at which time the Knicks will have three days to match and retain Lin’s services.
This would not be the first time Lin has donned a Rockets jersey (see right), after he signed with the team as a free agent in December 2011. However he did not play a game for Houston and 15 days later signed with the Knicks, where he averaged 14.6ppg and 6.2apg over 35 games.
The big question is as to whether the Knicks would look to match an offer of this size. Lin is a huge drawcard in terms of attention (and therefore fan and sponsorship dollars), but his long-term ability to perform on the basketball court is yet to be proven.
No doubt there is an Asian Rockets fanbase which yearns for another star to cling to, after the retirement of Chinese superstar Yao Ming due to injury. Meanwhile, in New York, it looks like Jason Kidd will be featuring at Madison Square Garden next season.
