NBA Rumors: Re-Signing Jeremy Lin Looks Like a Longshot for Knicks

The New York Knicks would love to re-sign Jeremy Lin after his breakthrough this season, but that may prove more difficult than previously imagined.

Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD wrote on Thursday that several teams are vying for Lin's services this offseason, including the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets.

That's only part of the problem for the Knicks, though. Lin's next contract can't exceed $5 million and $5.225 million in the first two years. But a team with salary cap space has the ability to increase Lin's salary in years three and four of a deal, meaning the Knicks would have to pay $12,628,613 in year three if they matched a back-loaded offer.

The problem with this? The Knicks owe Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler $60,632,000 in 2013-2014. So, with the right deal, another team could legitimately steal Lin away from the Knicks.

Want to hear another obstacle for the Knicks (Knicks fans shaking their heads "no")?

Well, if the Knicks don't sign Lin for $3 million or less this offseason, they could potentially lose Steve Novak, J.R. Smith and Landry Fields. As New York Magazine points out, the Knicks can't sign Lin for over $3 million or they will be stuck with a hard cap and only have $3 million left over for other offseason moves.

After a rough first round of the playoffs in which Stoudemire lacerated his left hand in the locker room after Game 2, the Knicks could use a break. Unfortunately for them, this is just more bad news heading into the offseason.

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