NBA Free Agency Rumors: Mavericks Better off Chasing Steve Nash Than Jeremy Lin

If the Dallas Mavericks are smart, they'll back away from the idea of trying to sign Jeremy Lin away from the New York Knicks and pursue Steve Nash instead.

If they're not careful, they might miss out on both of them. 

ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reports: "Sources say the Mavs will pursue Nash and the New York Knicks' Lin, who is a restricted free agent. As such, the Knicks can match any offer made to Lin."

Nash won't take kindly to getting brushed back once again after he already waited for the Mavericks to see whether or not they could land Deron Williams. That was something he could respect, as he and everyone else know that Williams is one of the league's best players.

Lin, on the other hand, is a player who could just as likely become a one-year-wonder as he could become a bona fide star.

Not to mention the fact that the Knicks are reportedly not concerned about matching any kind of "poison pill" deal another team could offer Lin, according to MSG's Alan Hahn, via Sulia.com, who writes:

"

Meanwhile, one thing that seems abundantly clear is Jeremy Lin will be re-signed regardless of what another team offers him as a restricted free agent. The pursuit of a veteran PG is not just to help the team win now, but also to invest in Lin's development. You can't find anyone in the organization that doesn't believe in Jeremy Lin. He is, and will remain, a Knick.

"

The Mavericks can't afford to miss out on the opportunity to pair Nash with his former teammates, Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion. The trio has an excellent opportunity to win a championship together as a sort of last hurrah, and it wold be a shame if they never got the chance.

They need to forget about Linsanity. It's not coming to Dallas anyway, and if they aren't careful, neither will Nash.

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