NBA Rumors: Jeremy Lin Leaving Charlotte Hornets For Brooklyn Nets

NBA rumors are swirling around Jeremy Lin. The Brooklyn Nets have hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach. The current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach was with Lin when he captured the imagination of the world as a member of the New York Knicks. According to the New York Post, Jeremy credits a lot of his success during the Linsanity era to Atkinson. That has led to speculation that Lin could be making a move when he becomes a free agent this upcoming summer.

If you were to ask Jeremy Lin about his upcoming free agency right now, he’ll more than likely tell you that he was focused on the NBA Playoffs. The Charlotte Hornets are currently locked in a battle with the Miami Heat to see who gets past the first round. After the first game on Sunday, it was clearly obvious who the superior team was. That might lead Lin to think about his next home in the National Basketball Association.

Much like in other aspects of life, knowing the right people is important in the NBA. The relationship between Jeremy Lin and Kenny Atkinson could lead to a reunion. While he does have a good thing going with the upstart Charlotte Hornets, Lin might be enticed by a bigger role. Since the Brooklyn Nets are lacking in star power, they could offer him just that.

Right now, the two biggest names for the Brooklyn Nets are Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez. Those two guys are talented. However, they’re not exactly household names. Jeremy Lin would arguably be the most well known member of the Nets if he were to sign with them in free agency this summer. At the very least, he would be the most well known guard in Brooklyn. Donald Sloan and Jarrett Jack aren’t exactly selling a ton of jerseys.

Signing with the Brooklyn Nets is an opportunity for Jeremy Lin to be a starter in the NBA again. In addition to the previously named Donald Sloan and Jarrett Jack, the team only has Shane Larkin on the roster. None of those guys have convinced Nets management that they are the long-term solution at point guard. Lin would be able to compete with those guys and a potential rookie taken in the upcoming draft for the starting spot.

Jeremy Lin would still have a pretty big role with the Brooklyn Nets if they decide to utilize him off the bench. He would be an offensive threat for them as a backup. The Nets are heavily leaning towards chasing current Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley in free agency this summer. They’ll have competition, but the former Ohio State Buckeyes star stated that he’ll give NBA teams equal opportunities to acquire his services.

NBA teams are always looking for quality depth. Now that Jeremy Lin has embraced the fact that he’s a role player, he’s seen as quite an asset. He can be a game changer off the bench because he increases the tempo of play. That means that he’ll have some options in the National Basketball Association. There are even those that believe that he might be a candidate to return to the New York Knicks, a team that desperately needs some energy in the back court.

Kenny Atkinson isn’t the sexiest pick in the world to be the next Brooklyn Nets head coach. Guys like Luke Walton, Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Scott Brooks are available. Atkinson, however, is well respected within the NBA. If Jeremy Lin can be convinced to sign with the Nets, then Atkinson would be off to a good start.