Update: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Houston is finalizing a deal to send Jeremy Lin to the Lakers, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2014
The Rockets finalizing Jeremy Lin, a future first-round pick and other draft considerations to the Lakers, league source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2014
The Rockets are desperately trying to clear cap space to offer Chris Bosh a near-max – not max – contract.
That definitely requires trading Omer Asik, who can’t be dumped to the Pelicans as easily as once thought, and Jeremy Lin.
A commonly advocated Lin destination, the 76ers, might not take him.
How about another team with cap space?
Marc Stein of ESPN:
Sources say Houston Rockets trying to trade Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Lakers. Report now on @SportsCenter
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 11, 2014
Lin’s contract expires after this season, so Lin wouldn’t interfere with the Lakers’ 2015 cap space. Surely, they’d pick up extra assets – young players and/or draft picks – for receiving Lin’s burdensome contract.
They’d also draw plenty of fans. Lin’s production has faded since Linsansity, but his star power, also somewhat diminished, has held up better. After a terrible season and on possibly on their way to another, the Lakers need a way to sell tickets.
The Lakers taking Lin would likely signal they’re out of the Carmelo Anthony race, though maybe creative cap management could allow them to get both.
