Rockets general manager Daryl Morey had his second crack at Jeremy Lin (6'3''-PG-88, college: Harvard) yesterday and offered him a back-loaded deal worth at least $31 million, and he was mulling it over late last night.
Because the Knicks were ditched by Steve Nash, sources have indicated the club is as intent as ever in matching any Lin offer sheet before the free-agent signing moratorium ends July 11.
Last time Morey talked to Lin in December, he told him he was being waived after having him for 12 days in training camp. That set the stage for the Knicks to claim him and turn last season into a Disney movie.
Yesterday, Morey showed Lin Houston and took him out for dinner, where he was offered a three-year deal with a fourth-year player option that would total at least $31 million.
The first two years are at $5 million and $5.2 million with the backloaded poison pill coming in the third and fourth years, when the salary was to jump to about $10.5 million to create luxury-tax hardship for the Knicks.
But because Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemires deals all expire after three years, the luxury tax only would hurt in the third season - 2014-15.
The Knicks have said they would match any offer to Lin because they see him as either their starter or a vital backup.
Last time Lin was in Houston was before Linsanity when the Knicks visited on Jan. 28, and Lin actually got his first significant playing time, an active 20 minutes. But then-desperate coach Mike DAntoni still wasnt convinced that night, though whispers from players in the visitors locker room was he could be the answer to their point-guard woes.
The Rockets need a point guard after going separate ways with Goran Dragic, who demanded $10 million per season. Nevertheless, this Houston visit could also be a dog-and-pony show to help to Lin, who needs to establish a market for himself because Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald started playing hardball on July 1. Grunwald refused to make Lin an offer until he established a market.
On Twitter yesterday, Morey stated, RedNation please help me welcome [Lin] back 2Houston today! Fitting on July4 as America is land of 2nd chances.
Cute but probably not enough to land Lin, who prefers to stay with the Knicks. Plus, Lin also could harbor bitterness at Rockets coach Kevin McHale for cutting him. In February, Morey all but apologized to Lin for waiving him, admitting his mistake and saying he had a great, great future.
The Rockets have a potential Lin recruiter in Yao Ming, who is still close with the team and is a mentor to the point guard. The Mavericks also want to court Lin, so it remains to be seen if he will accept the Rockets offer.
East Asian Championship: Taiwan edge Mongolia to finish 5th - May 20, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
Taiwan - Mongolia 94:86
Taiwan finished in the fifth position at the East Asian Championship in South Korea. They defeated Mongolia today to qualify for the Fiba Asia Championship. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-87) came up with 19 points to lead the winners.
Mongolia jumped to an early lead in this one. They grabbed a 22:21 advantage after ten minutes. But Taiwan quickly shook off the sloppiness and went on a 28:16 run in the second frame. They built a 49:38 halftime advantage [read more]
Taiwan - Mongolia 94:86
Taiwan finished in the fifth position at the East Asian Championship in South Korea. They defeated Mongolia today to qualify for the Fiba Asia Championship. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-87) came up with 19 points to lead the winners. Mongolia jumped to an early lead in this one. They grabbed a 22:21 advantage after ten minutes. But Taiwan quickly shook off the sloppiness and went on a 28:16 run in the second frame. They built a 49:38 halftime advantage. Taiwan stayed dominant in the third quarter. They rolled to a 74:56 lead at the final intermission. Mongolia stayed competitive till the final seconds. They poured in 30 points in the fourth frame but could not erase the deficit at the end. Tsai Wen-Cheng (190-G/F-85) knocked down 18 points, while Ke Chi-Hao (181-PG-85) added 16 points for the winners. Sanchir Tungalag (188-G-89) responded with 30 points for Mongolia. Bilguun Battuvshin had 24 points and 11 boards in the loss.
East Asian Championship: Japan sneak past Taiwan - May 18, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
Japan - Taiwan 71:70
Japan withheld a furious challenge from Taiwan to celebrate a crucial victory in the final day of the preliminary action at the East Asian Championship. Both teams entered the game at 1-1 record fighting for the second position and semifinal birth from Group A. Japan withheld a late rally from Taiwan to secure so needed victory. Kosuke Kanamaru (193-F/G-89) delivered 15 points to lead the winners.
Japan and Taiwan stayed on level terms in the opening quarter [read more]
Japan - Taiwan 71:70
Japan withheld a furious challenge from Taiwan to celebrate a crucial victory in the final day of the preliminary action at the East Asian Championship. Both teams entered the game at 1-1 record fighting for the second position and semifinal birth from Group A. Japan withheld a late rally from Taiwan to secure so needed victory. Kosuke Kanamaru (193-F/G-89) delivered 15 points to lead the winners. Japan and Taiwan stayed on level terms in the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 17:17 after ten minutes. Taiwan pulled ahead in the second quarter. They eked out a 35:32 halftime lead. But the third term proved decisive. Japan adjusted offensively and unleashed 22 points to surge ahead. They registered a 54:50 advantage at the final break. Taiwan worked hard to deny the deficit but Japan proved calm and accurate in the decisive moments to seal the winning outcome. Kosuke Takeuchi (206-C/F-85) and Ryota Sakurai (194-G-83) delivered 12 points each for the winning side. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-87) responded with 21 points for Taiwan. Creighton Douglas (196-F-85) and Hung Chih-Shan (176-PG-85) finished with 12 points apiece in the loss.
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
