October 6, 2024 02:39 AM

Jeremy Lin-Mike D’Antoni Reunion in Denver Possible Next Season

Set to become an unrestricted free-agent next summer, Jeremy Lin is expected to exhaust all options on deck as he tries to resurrect his career - including a possible reunion with Mike D'Antoni.

The 26-year old Lin is in the midst of another frustrating up-and-down season, having been relegated by Lakers head coach Byron Scott to the bench after starting for just 20 games.

After two roller-coaster seasons with the Houston Rockets, Lin had high expectations his stint with the purple-and-gold would open an opportunity for him to re-establish as one of the finest up-and-coming playmakers in the league.

However, his much-publicized struggle alongside Kobe Bryant along with his troubles in orchestrating the Lakers' Princeton-based offense forced Scott to pull the plug on Lin and start cutting down his playing time as the season progresses.

Scott has been quoted several times taking a dig at Lin, whom he called soft and very inconsistent. In Friday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers head coach decided to bench Lin the entire game as he allotted more playing time to rookie Jordan Clarkson and Price at the point.

Lin, who is earning $15M in the final year of the three-year, $25M deal contract he signed with the Houston Rockets, is still expected to draw significant interest in the free-agency market, although many analysts believe teams can only afford him a role as a backup.

The most intriguing scenario for Lin is a potential reunion with Mike D'Antoni, whom he had massive success (Linsanity era) with during their time with the New York Knicks.

According to league sources, the Denver Nuggets are very intrigued about tapping D'Antoni's service should the team decide to part ways with second-year head coach Brian Shaw. Despite boasting one of the deepest line-up in the NBA, the Nuggets have been a big let-down with an 18-25 slate midway into the season.

"According to two NBA sources, the name to keep an eye on in the unlikely event the Nuggets move away from Shaw would be Mike D'Antoni," according to Raj Sharan of ESPN Denver.

Although Ty Lawson has already locked up the starting spot in Denver, Lin could still make a big impact off the bench, playing again his desired up-tempo pace under the tutelage of a man he called an absolute offensive 'genius.'

Tags
Los Angeles Lakers, Jeremy Lin trade, Lakers rumors, Jeremy Lin trade rumors, Nba news
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