Jeremy Lin Expected To Be Released By Lakers After 2014-15 Season

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected to let Jeremy Lin walk away once his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, according to several league insiders on Monday.

The Lakers traded for the service of the 25-year old Lin after the Houston Rockets decided to get rid of the Asian American star and his big $15 million salary next season ($8 million against the salary cap).

Ever since Lin landed in Hollywood, many Lakers fans though that Lin will be just a one-year player for the team, as it looks to clear cap space and make a run at available free-agents in the summer of 2015.

As early as now, there are reports about the Lakers' pursuit of Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, who is considered the remaining big time free-agent available since free-agency began two weeks ago.

According to sources, the Lakers' plan is to acquire Bledsoe and relegate Lin back to his backup point guard role with the possibility of letting him hit free-agency next summer.

However, general manager Mitch Kupchack stressed that Lin is going to be an important part of the team's campaign next season because of his ability to play the two guard positions. As a combo guard, Lin can either play as a ball facilitator or become aggressive offensively as scoring off-guard.

"This trade allows us to acquire a solid player who will make us a better team, as well as draft picks to improve our team in the future, while at the same time allowing us to maintain financial flexibility. In addition to what he'll bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community," Kupchack said on Lin's arrival with the purple-and-gold via Sports Illustrated Fan Sided.

After spending for two seasons under the shadow of James Harden, Lin considers his trade to the Lakers as an opportunity to prove his worth. Despite averaging just 12 points and 4 dimes last season, Lin had a better shooting percentage from the field (44.6 percent) and beyond the three-point line (35.8 percent).

Aside from Lin, the Lakers also bolstered its lineup with the acquisition of Carlos Boozer (silent bidding), Julius Randle (draft pick), and Ed Davis (free-agency), as they try to offset the departure of Pau Gasol, who joined the Chicago Bulls.