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linwalk Dolan, Knicks Let Lin Walk
Aside from the Dwight Howard indecision, Jeremy Lin has captured the most interest during the 2012 free agency period. From the start, the Knicks were openly intent on matching any offer to hold onto Lin, which was their first mistake. ESPN even had a source saying “they will match any offer on Lin up to $1 billion“, but what was once a simple decision, became much more than that when Jeremy Lin signed a revised offer sheet proposed by the Houston Rockets. 

The decision is in, and the Knicks spokesman has confirmed earlier reports that the Knicks will not match Houston’s offer sheet for Jeremy Lin. They have opted to leave his 3-year/$25.1M contract in the dust, and move on using 39-year-old point guard Jason Kidd, and 28-year-old point guard Raymond Felton instead. Lin’s proposed contract, which included a $14.8 ‘poison pill’ in the third year, was not in their best interest as their decision was reported to of been a financial one. 

The Knicks had every reason to keep Lin- he was young talent with potential, a fan favorite, a winner, and most importantly (to the Knicks)- he would of sold more merchandise than we’ll ever know. As reported this morning, the ‘stretch provision‘ would of also given the Knicks an easy way out financially if Jeremy Lin didn’t live up to his expectations, but either they didn’t get the memo, or just didn’t care. The fact that they were prepared to match at all costs, and suddenly decided by 4 p.m. on decision day that they would part ways means one thing to me- that there’s more to the story. 

One things for sure, countless fans across the world are stunned tonight, absolutely stunned. Can anyone really make the case that the 23-year old underdog who played just 25 games in the NBA deserves $25 million? I don’t think anyone can, but that’s the reality of the NBA- and if that’s what James Dolan, who’s been a willing spender in the past, has to do to retain the possible future of the organization, then that’s what he should do. 

This could go down as one of the worst decisions in franchise history, but that’s up to Jeremy Lin and how he performs in Houston. It could also go down as one of the smartest decisions, but that would mean wishing bad things on Lin- and I’m not willing to do that to a deserving, and promising,  young man. 

Jeremy Lin’s return to the Garden should be an interesting one.