Will Jeremy Lin Have The Opportunity To Stay In The NBA?

NBA champion player Jeremy Lin is facing significant struggles in signing with NBA teams this off-season. Despite winning a championship title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the Harvard graduate has yet to secure a stable contract in the NBA after becoming a free agent.

In a public appearance in Taiwan, Jeremy Lin broke down in tears and said he felt abandoned by the NBA and had hit “rock bottom”. Despite becoming the first Asian American to win the NBA championship title, Lin suffered from a season-ending injury in 2017 and later got traded to the Atlanta Hawks from the Brooklyn Nets for the 2018-2019 season. Earlier in 2019, Lin signed with the Toronto Raptors as a backup point guard. Having limited playing time in the Raptor team, Lin played less than one minute in the NBA Finals.

Lin was famous for his waves of extraordinary performances in 2012. On the verge of dropping out of the league, Lin started to come back from a bench player to a starting point guard, leading the New York Knicks to a 9-3 record and averaging 22.5 points and 8.7 assists. Throughout the 12-game streak, Lin dropped a career-high 38 points against Kobe Byrant’s Los Angeles Lakers, making this one of the most notable games in Lin’s career.

“Every year it gets harder.” Lin acknowledged that the league is becoming more competitive for a veteran. In his nine-year NBA career, Lin played for eight different teams, including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and the Toronto Raptors.

SEE ALSO: Jeremy Lin Is Making History In The NBA Finals, But There Is Still A Long Way To Go

The main risk for any NBA team considering signing Lin is his declining athletic abilities due to injuries and aging. It would be a considerable risk for teams to put Lin into a starting guard position due to the pre-existing injuries that caused Lin the season two years ago. In addition, Lin’s poor shooting performances in the past season is becoming another factor stopping the NBA veteran from signing with an NBA team. While playing for the Toronto Raptors, Lin had the bad experience of missing 17 consecutive three point shots in the regular season.

With unsatisfactory performances in shooting and moving abilities, Lin is facing a truly tough time to stay on the loop for the coming season. While he might still get his chance with a few teams, Lin needs to step up his performance with his new team to secure his position.

Turning down a European League offer

Having no luck in the NBA, Jeremy Lin is getting invitations to play in Europe. CSKA Moscow in Russia had engaged with Lin regarding the possibility of playing in the European league, Lin, however, declined the offer and confirmed that he is still looking for playing spots in the NBA at this stage. However, Lin did not exclude the possibility of playing in China “if things do not work out”.

Lin was in Asia this summer for several training camps and business activities. Lin also spoke in the Chinese Basketball league’s draft in 2019. As an undrafted player himself, Lin encouraged the players who were not drafted by the Chinese league to not give up on their dreams and keep working hard.

Jeremy Lin’s brother Joseph Lin is playing for the Fubon Braves in Taiwan’s Super Basketball League. Jeremy Lin said earlier that he would “consider” playing in Asia because of the fans’ passion and the possible opportunity to play alongside his brother.

As Lin suffers from this current stigma, former NBA player Nate Robinson is extending his invites to Lin into the Big 3 leagues. “Bro I feel they gave up on me 2 , but it ain’t over !!! just come to the @thebig3 we accept what the NBA dnt want !!! #holdat”

The Racial Factor

Throughout his journey in the NBA, Lin has always been an active voice advocating for equality. Lin reflected that in his basketball career, he has been a constant victim of racism.

It ranges from the opposing team fans, to biased views from scouts to security guards. Lin was reportedly stopped by security guards in Milwaukee as the security staff did not recognize him, and treated him as a fan trying to sneak into the team’s bus. Floyd Mayweather and Kenyon Martin have both engaged in unwelcoming comments and conversations on Lin’s racial background in the past.

The explicit and implicit racism extend into career development and draft selections. Despite having similar performances as the No. 1 Pick in 2010 Draft John Wall, the Harvard graduate went undrafted. Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, said that Lin deserves a top 15 spot in that year’s draft. However, the Rockets decided to select Patrick Patterson over Jeremy Lin with the 14th pick of the year.

In 2013, Lin openly commented that his racial background is likely to be a reason for him not getting a Division I basketball scholarship and subsequently went undrafted. David Stern, the former commissioner of the NBA, agreed with Lin’s comment and argued that race might have played a factor to Lin’s non-selection in the 2010 NBA draft.

It has been an issue that Asians are constantly emasculated in the media. And Jeremy Lin has been a vocal voice speaking against such stereotypes. The stereotypical views of Asian male have been putting Jeremy Lin at a disadvantage, and perhaps, decreased his chances of signing with another NBA team.

Jeremy Lin certainly has the experience to play in the NBA, however, his performance may be a concern for the teams interested in this veteran point guard. The best outcome for Lin, in the league today, would be to become a mentor that can motivate younger talents within the team.

During his time with the Atlanta Hawks, Jeremy Lin had a very good relationship with the rising rookie Trae Young. Young said back in 2018 that he and Jeremy Lin really worked well together and was supportive to Lin in his struggles.

Regardless of the final outcome, Jeremy Lin had a spectacular and extraordinary career: 1 NBA champion, career high score of 38 points, and an unforgettable round of Linsanity. Jeremy Lin has become an inspiration for all Asian teenagers who dream of making it into the professional leagues.

Lin suffers from this current stigma, former NBA player Nate Robinson is extending his invites to Lin into the Big 3 leagues. “Bro I feel they gave up on me 2 , but it ain’t over !!! just come to the @thebig3 we accept what the NBA dnt want !!! #holdat”

The Racial Factor

Throughout his journey in the NBA, Lin has always been an active voice advocating for equality. Lin reflected that in his basketball career, he has been a constant victim of racism.

It ranges from the opposing team fans, to biased views from scouts to security guards. Lin was reportedly stopped by security guards in Milwaukee as the security staff did not recognize him, and treated him as a fan trying to sneak into the team’s bus. Floyd Mayweather and Kenyon Martin have both engaged in unwelcoming comments and conversations on Lin’s racial background in the past.

The explicit and implicit racism extend into career development and draft selections. Despite having similar performances as the No. 1 Pick in 2010 Draft John Wall, the Harvard graduate went undrafted. Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, said that Lin deserves a top 15 spot in that year’s draft. However, the Rockets decided to select Patrick Patterson over Jeremy Lin with the 14th pick of the year.

In 2013, Lin openly commented that his racial background is likely to be a reason for him not getting a Division I basketball scholarship and subsequently went undrafted. David Stern, the former commissioner of the NBA, agreed with Lin’s comment and argued that race might have played a factor to Lin’s non-selection in the 2010 NBA draft.

It has been an issue that Asians are constantly emasculated in the media. And Jeremy Lin has been a vocal voice speaking against such stereotypes. The stereotypical views of Asian male have been putting Jeremy Lin at a disadvantage, and perhaps, decreased his chances of signing with another NBA team.

Jeremy Lin certainly has the experience to play in the NBA, however, his performance may be a concern for the teams interested in this veteran point guard. The best outcome for Lin, in the league today, would be to become a mentor that can motivate younger talents within the team.

During his time with the Atlanta Hawks, Jeremy Lin had a very good relationship with the rising rookie Trae Young. Young said back in 2018 that he and Jeremy Lin really worked well together and was supportive to Lin in his struggles.

Regardless of the final outcome, Jeremy Lin had a spectacular and extraordinary career: 1 NBA champion, career high score of 38 points, and an unforgettable round of Linsanity. Jeremy Lin has become an inspiration for all Asian teenagers who dream of making it into the professional leagues.