Jeremy Lin's days with the Houston Rockets are numbered. With general manager Daryl Morey pursuing a third star to play alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard, the former Harvard hotshot has become dispensable in the organization.
Entering the final year of his three-year, $25 million deal, Lin might be suiting up for another team. After dumping Omer Asik and his $8 million paycheck (for 2014-15 season) to the New Orleans Pelicans, The Rockets are expected to unload Lin's contract off the books, once they get the nod of their target superstar.
Even weeks ahead of free-agency period, the Rockets have been lining up a trade for Jeremy Lin, but the place of his next destination was not disclosed then. On Saturday, ESPN reported that the Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers are in talk for a trade involving Lin.
"Sources say that the Sixers, though, are happy to take on Lin -- despite the presence of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams as their starting point guard -- provided that the extra asset or two they get from Houston is sufficiently attractive," according to ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein.
76ers general manager Sam Hinkie kept his relationship with Morey, his former boss, intact, making deals between both teams much easier. However, many NBA followers expect Hinkie to ask for additional assets for them to absorb Lin's $8 million in salary.
Hinkie has been collecting assets through trade transactions in the last two seasons, turning some of them into top prospects such as Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.
How Can Jeremy Lin Fit with Young Sixers
Lin won't have any chance to start at point guard with the Sixers. That role belongs to recently-crowned Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams. However, his versatility to play both the point and the off-guard spot will help him get significant minute under Brett Brown.
Jeremy Lin, who averaged 12 points and 4 dimes in a sixth man role with the Rockets last season, will more likely get the same role but his numbers are expected to jack up because of Brown's fast-paced offensive system.
Evan Turner's number reached all-time high as a result of Brown's speedy offensive system. Lin, who thrived in open-court basketball and pick-and-roll plays, would benefit a lot from the Sixers' system. Thus, he will have the opportunity to revive his career next season, and get another decent paycheck when he becomes a free-agent in 2015.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
