Jeremy Lin and Agent Talk After Lin Selected to USA Select Team

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Since the Knicks season ended, it has been widely believed by many that Jeremy Lin would be back next season in a Knicks uniform.  For some it was a foregone conclusion, even Mike Woodson is quoted as saying “absolutely” Lin would be back next season.  That may no longer be the case for Lin says his agent, Roger Montgomery.

The NBA, in the NBA is a business, so people can say all they want but until pen is put to paper, anything can happen.  “I don’t expect that.  We’re not anticipating that’s going to happen.  We don’t have assurances of anything,” Montgomery said during his interview with the New York Post.  “I know history shows most restricted free agents go back to their team, but I’m not going to assume anything.  We’re waiting to see what happens.”

Because Lin is a restricted free agent, the Knicks can match any offer made to him thanks to the Gilbert Arenas clause in the new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Another factor in the free agency of Lin is if his Bird and Early Bird Rights will carry over to the Knicks.  Those rights allow teams to go over the salary cap to re-sign players.

The Union and League are currently at odds over the clauses, with an arbitration hearing expected to alleviate the problem.  The Union says the rights should go with players who are waived and picked up, while the League argues that the rights should not transfer with a player.  Whatever the decision made by the arbitrator is will have an effect not only Lin but Steve Novak as well.  The decision will have a big impact on the Knicks off-season agenda

 

Lin was selected to be a member of the USA Select team alongside Ryan Anderson (Orlando Magic), DeJuan Blair (San Antonio Spurs), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers),  Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), and John Wall (Washington Wizards), hence why his agent was available for comments today. 

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Jeremy Lin says, “There’s always going to be uncertainty until the final contract is signed, so definitely nothing is set in stone.  Nothing’s set in stone until it’s really written.”  It will be an event filled off-season for both Lin and the Knicks.