NBA Rumors: 5 free agency destinations for Jeremy Lin

By John Buhler | Jun 7, 2016

Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) defends during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

November 4, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball against the defense of Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

77. . West. Pacific. Los Angeles Clippers. 4. player

The Los Angeles Clippers still have maybe two peak years left of Chris Paul dominance at the point guard position. Blake Griffin is still a beast down low when healthy. Jamal Crawford is arguably the best sixth man in the NBA of the last 15 years. J.J. Redick is in his prime at the two-guard. DeAndre Jordan made the 2015-16 All-NBA First Team.

While the Clippers continue to come up short in the Western Conference Playoffs, Los Angeles should field a team in 2016-17 that will win over 50 games and contend for a trip to the 2017 Western Conference Finals. It’s all a matter of health, mental toughness, and smart free agency moves made by head coach/team president Doc Rivers.

Rivers tends to go after players that were great in the Eastern Conference while he was coaching the Boston Celtics. Given that his son Austin Rivers will likely test NBA free agency this summer, presumably playing his way out of Los Angeles, would the elder Rivers target Lin as a suitable rotation player for a championship caliber team?

If Lin is the Clippers’ sixth or seventh best player, then Los Angeles may end up being as deep as any team in the West next season. Golden State will probably lose both Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli in free agency and then there’s that whole Kevin Durant issue in Oklahoma City.

Lin would be the perfect backcourt complement to Crawford on the Clippers’ second unit. With improved depth and another skilled ball handler on the roster, Los Angeles could seriously challenge both Golden State and Oklahoma City for Western Conference supremacy in 2017.

Next: 3. Indiana Pacers

Home/Charlotte Hornets