NBA Rumors: 5 free agency destinations for Jeremy Lin

While his first time around in Houston was mildly disappointing, the Rockets are not a bad landing spot for Lin in 2016 NBA free agency. Lin seems to be in good health unlike his previous stint as the Rockets starting point guard.

Houston does need some lift at backup point guard behind the defensive-minded Patrick Beverley. Lin would in a way provide the type of offense Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was hoping former backup point guard Ty Lawson could provide as a sixth man. Let’s not forget that Lin would be going into an offense in Houston that brings out the best in its point guards with new head coach Mike D’Antoni.

Though it’s still clearly shooting guard James Harden’s team entering the 2016-17 NBA season, there is reason to believe that Lin would fit in quite nicely with the Harden/D’Antoni Rockets next season.

Lin is an offensive-minded player who thrives at the drive and kick, exactly the type of ball-handling playmaker that D’Antoni covets in his offense. In a way, Lin would act as a poor man’s Steve Nash coming off the Rockets’ bench to lead the offense while Harden rests.

The best thing for the Rockets is to manage Harden’s minutes better. That way he can commit himself more towards being a better player on the defensive end. By playing all these extended minutes, he usually reserves his energy for being the team’s go-to scorer.

If Lin can play like he did in 2015-16 for Charlotte with this year’s Rockets team, then Houston will almost certainly improve their seeding in the Western Conference Playoffs by his signing alone.

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