Chicago Bulls Rumors: Team In The Running For Jeremy Lin, But Facing Stiff Competition
The Chicago Bulls are rumored to be in the running for polarizing guard Jeremy Lin, though they appear to have some stiff competition for the guard.
The Bulls have been busy over the first few hours of NBA free agency, getting verbal commitments from starters Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy. Now, the Bulls are reportedly turning their attention outside the organization, with their sights on Lin.
Though the Los Angeles Lakers have reached out to Lin, he had a polarizing tenure with the team and it seems almost certain that the free agent guard will be on a new team next season. Reports indicate that there is already a line of suitors waiting for him.
Inside the Lakers explains.
“The Lakers expressed interest in retaining Lin after free agency began on Tuesday night, according to a league source familiar with the situation. Lin also fielded interest from several teams, including Dallas, Memphis, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and the Clippers, according to a league source. But before free agency began, both the Lakers and Lin felt lukewarm about a reunion for several reasons.”
If the Chicago Bulls are going to live up to the rumors, they will have to move fast. Jeremy Lin has already been in contact with a number of interested teams, reports indicated on Wednesday.
Among the interested teams was Lin’s former team, the New York Knicks.
Knicks have reached out to Jeremy Lin, @AlexKennedyNBA reports.
— NBA Stats (@StatisticsNBA) July 1, 2015
Lin has also heard from other teams on the edge of title contention.
I’m hearing the Dallas Mavericks were one of the first teams to reach out to Jeremy Lin last night. They have shown interest in many PGs.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 1, 2015
Meanwhile in LA, Clippers are pushing for Wes Johnson (who could start for them), also talking to Jeremy Lin, Corey Brewer, Willie Green
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2015
While it remains to be seen in the rumors will pan out, the Chicago Bulls already pulled off two of the biggest offseason objectives, keeping Butler and Dunleavy.
The soon-to-be 35-year-old Dunleavy said he didn’t really want to play anywhere other than Chicago.
“That’s a huge part of it,” he said. “Not only do I love my teammates and the organization and the fans and the city but my kids are happy here. My wife is happy. It really was a priority to come back if we could make it work. And we did.”
Should the rumors somehow come true, the Chicago Bulls would have a powerful and explosive backcourt with Jeremy Lin joining Derrick Rose and Butler.
[Image via Getty Images/Christian Petersen]
