2016 NBA free agency: 5 worst fits for Jeremy Lin

By John Buhler | Jun 29, 2016

Mar 22, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during second half at Barclays Center. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets 105-100.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) warms up before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks. 3. player. 125. . East. Southeast

Until last week, the Atlanta Hawks were set at point guard with Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroder, and Kirk Hinrich. Now that Atlanta has traded Teague to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal that resulted in getting No. 12 overall pick small forward Taurean Green of Baylor, the Hawks might be in the market for a backup to Schroder in 2016-17.

Though Hinrich is adept enough to be a temporary backup to Schroder this season, if Atlanta wants to contend in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, they’ll need a better No. 2 point guard behind first-year starter Schroder.

Players like Jarrett Jack, Brandon Jennings, and Norris Cole might fill that role well, but Lin is not ideal to backup Schroder and play in head coach Mike Budenholzer’s system. Lin isn’t a great defensive player and Budenholzer preaches defensive excellence, otherwise he won’t play him.

Schroder can be a little too competitive and friction between he and Lin would seem inevitable. Lin might get a favorable two-year deal to play in Atlanta, but it’s just not a good culture fit for his game as a backup point guard. Atlanta may want to aggressively pursue former Georgia Tech star Jack or stand pat rather than bring Lin into the fold.

Next: 2. New York Knicks.

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