Jeremy Lin's 2014-15 NBA season hasn't been inspiring so far, nevertheless there are still teams appear to be willing in gambling for the Asian-American star on the trading block.
Averaging 10.9 points and 4.7 assists in the season, the 26-year old Lin is playing in the final year of his three-year contract he signed with the Houston Rockets that pays him around $15M ($8M against the salary cap).
With Steve Nash sidelined for the remainder of the season, the former Harvard standout carried a great expectation entering the year, only to be removed from the starting lineup 20 games into his Lakers career because of his defensive lapses and struggle to orchestrate Byron Scott's Princeton-based offense.
Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski claimed that the Lakers intended to use Lin for one-year only, as they look for an upgrade on the free-agency market, when Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson become available. And with $8M expiring contract, Lin remains an intriguing option, especially for teams trying to create cap space for next summer.
There have been several rumors about Lin and his potential trade destinations ahead of February 19 trade deadline. However, the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns have generated the most chatter because of their current situation.
It's unclear whether the Heat and the Suns are really after Lin. The Heat, who currently have a three-guard rotation of Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole and Shabazz Napier, might stick around with their trio until they get a chance to upgrade the position in free-agency. On the other hand, the Suns are in the midst of a competitive Western Conference playoff race and removing a key player from its roster could disrupt their chemistry.
Still, these trade rumors might have some legs after all. The Heat could be after Lin because his playing style is well-suited with the team's up-tempo style of play, while the Suns are itching to unload a significant contract (perhaps Isaiah Thomas) to create enough space to re-sign Goran Dragic, who could bolt out of the Arizona desert at the end of the season.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
