Jeremy Lin averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 assists per game during his frustrating first year with the Los Angeles Lakers. Impressive numbers considering that Lin often had trouble getting ample playing time under the mercurial Byron Scott’s disastrous first year as coach, in which Scott guided the injury-plagued Lakers to the worst season in team history. Scott has three year’s left on his contract and Lin is free, after banking $15 million last year, to go play for a contender if he can find an offer. There would appear to be numerous suitors willing to bring in the 26-year-old Lin, with his huge fan base and his ability to get into the lane and finish around the basket. His previous employer, the Houston Rockets, perhaps first in line.
[BONUS: The Jeremy Lin Quiz — Think You Know Jeremy Lin? 13 Questions]
Yet despite playing a season where he was clearly disrespected by his coach, Lin told the media that returning to the Lakers was “definitely an option.” Lin’s just being a good citizen, as is his regular practice. He also said finding the right fit was more important to him than money as he enters free agency. And unless somebody slips something into Lin’s drink, he’ll recognize that Byron Scott’s Lakers–especially with the unforgiving Kobe Bryant returning for his swan song–aren’t what anybody would call a “good fit” for Lin.
