‘Linsanity’ comes to Brooklyn as NBA free agency opens

Jeremy Lin, the NBA's first US player of Chinese or Taiwanese heritage, agreed to a three-
AFP

New York (AFP) – Jeremy Lin is heading back to New York, Timofey Mozgov will leave champion Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers and Joakim Noah will reunite with Derrick Rose as NBA free agency began Friday.

Players and teams can agree to terms on deals but no official contracts can be signed until Thursday, leaving only reports that teams cannot confirm and players can announce but not consumate. 

While it allows for some deals to fall apart, that is the exception under the system.

LeBron James, who led Cleveland to the NBA crown last month, opted out of his contract but has said he will sign again with the Cavaliers, a new one-year deal would set the stage for a rich long-term contract next year when new television money is set to send salaries skyrocketing.

Four-time NBA scoring champion and former NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, the most prized talent seen as up for grabs, began listening to offers Thursday when the Oklahoma City Thunder tried to convince him to stay.

The Golden State Warriors made their pitch and coach Steve Kerr was joined by two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in hopes of luring Durant to the team that won last year’s title and fell one game short of a repeat this year.

– ‘Journey continues’ –

Lin, the NBA’s first US player of Chinese or Taiwanese heritage, agreed to a three-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets worth a reported $36 million with a fourth-year player option. That’s after the point guard declined a $2.2 million offer to return to Charlotte for next season.

“The journey continues… thankful for the next chapter!!” tweeted Lin with an image of himself in a Brooklyn uniform in front of the team logo. “Thank you hornets for the opportunity last year… I’ll miss you BuzzCity.”

Lin, 27, was a seldom-used reserve with the New York Knicks in 2012 until injuries to several starters gave him a chance to play. He sparked New York to seven wins in a row, including late game-winning shots and pinpoint passing to set up teammates in an epic 7-0 run known as “Linsanity.”

Lin spent the next two seasons with Houston and another campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining Charlotte last year.

Russian big man Mozgov, a reserve for the Cleveland Cavaliers on their run to the NBA title, reached a verbal agreement on a four-year deal worth $64 million Friday, according to multiple reports. 

Mozgov, who stands 7-foot-1 (2.16m) and turns 30 on July 16, averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds as a reserve paid $5 million.

The Lakers also reportedly agreed to terms with shooting guard Jordan Clarkson on a four-year pact.

The Knicks, according to multiple reports, have agreed a four-year deal worth $72 million with Noah, 31, who has spent his entire NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. The son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah will reunite with former Bulls teammate Rose.

– Batum makes deal with Charlotte –

French free agent forward Nicolas Batum agreed to a five-year deal for $120 million to stay with Charlotte, according to multiple media reports.

“We got a deal! BuzzCity,” Batum tweeted.

Batum averaged a career-high 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists with the Hornets last season.

Hassan Whiteside returned to the Miami Heat, saying on the Players Tribune website he is agreeing to terms on a four-year contract worth $98 million. He made $980,000 with the Heat last season.

“I played on eight teams since college,” Whiteside said. “I’m not ready for there to be a ninth.”

Whiteside, who was reportedly offered a five-year deal from the Dallas Mavericks, led the NBA with 3.4 blocked shots a game last season.

DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors agreed to terms on a reported deal that could be worth $139-$145 million over six years. The 26-year-old shooting guard made $9.5 million last season, when he averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game.

The Detroit Pistons and center Andre Drummond reportedly are in the final stages of a deal for about $130 million over five years.

Pistons coach and president Stan Van Gundy also landed former Philadelphia point guard Ish Smith for three years and $18 million, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bradley Beal is likely to stay with Washington, nearing completion of a reported five-year agreement worth $128.5 million with the 23-year-old guard.

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