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 /

6 of 6

Apr 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Langston Galloway (2) and Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) chase a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlantic. New York Knicks. 1. player. 27. . East

While Kristaps Porzingis’ emergence as a potential superstar in 2015-16 as a rookie enveloped the rabid Knicks fan base, the seven-game stretch in 2012 known as Linsanity still is held in high regard for the Madison Square Garden faithful.

With Porzingis at power forward/center and Carmelo Anthony at small forward/stretch four, the Knicks really just need a point guard that can hang in new head coach Jeff Hornacek’s offense to be remotely playoff caliber in 2016-17.

Though the hiring of Hornacek by team president Phil Jackson absolutely went against his antiquated offensive principles based on The Triangle Offense, this hiring seems to be the right thing to bring the Knicks out of the dark ages in the pace and space era of the NBA.

Hornacek had a frustrating end to his two and a half year tenure coaching the Phoenix Suns, but remains a highly innovated offensive mind. The Suns had as many as four primary ball handlers on their team trying to play up-tempo in the juggernaut Western Conference.

In a similar offense to what he could run with D’Antoni in Houston, Lin could conceivably thrive under Hornacek either as a starter or backup point guard. While the Knicks might prefer free agent Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies or orchestrate a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for either Jeff Teague or Dennis Schroder, Lin is a great point guard answer for the Knicks.

Next: Remembering Muhammad Ali

This is the franchise his is still most beloved by. Charlotte held him in high regard last season for his spiky hair and great play behind Walker, but Knicks fans may get their wish in seeing Linsanity, Part Two at Madison Square Garden in 2016-17.

For more 2016 NBA free agency news, please check out our NBA free agency category page.

Home/Charlotte Hornets