NBA Free Agency: 4 Reasons Rockets Should Hope Knicks Match Jeremy Lin Offer

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Jeremy Lin agreed to sign a four-year, $28.8 million deal with the Houston Rockets, but reports have the Knicks planning to match the offer—which would keep Lin in New York.

Now that the dust has settled, the Rockets should hope that the Knicks match their offer.

Sure, Jeremy Lin makes headlines, seemingly fills the void left by the departure of Goran Dragic and trade of Kyle Lowry, and would strengthen the Houston fanbase in Asia.  He even looked unstoppable for a two-week stint of Linsanity last year.

However, what it boils down to is that the franchise is re-tooling and it doesn't need to throw $30 million at an unproven point guard with a turnover problem.

It's just not worth it.  Let the Knicks swallow the poison pill.

1. Mike D'Antoni = Inflated Stats

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Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offensive style centers around the point guard, and routinely runs the score of games into the 120s.

Great for fans, but perhaps not the dream scenario for statisticians. 

You see, that style inflates numbers.  Eighteen points and 10 assists in a D'Antoni directed offense is not the same as 18 and 10 in a Bo Ryan led one.

Steve Nash became at two-time MVP under the system, Raymond Felton was given All-Star consideration, and it even produced a Chris Duhon sighting.

In all reality, Linsanity was mostly just a byproduct of D'Antoni's offensive system running entirely through the point guard position—a position that Lin was able to fill capably.

2. He's Not as Good as You Think

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Once Jeremy Lin became a starter, he scored 20 points in nine of his first 10 games.  That's incredible. Even under D'Antoni's system, it still seems impressive. 

But Lin had more help than just the system.

Out of those ten teams, only two of them—the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers—were playoff teams.

Against the Mavericks and Lakers, he combined for 13 turnovers.

Couple that with the fact that after the opening 10 game stretch, Lin averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.0 turnovers per game over his final 15 games.

Those are serviceable numbers, but they aren't worth $30 million.

3. He's Overpriced

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Speaking of not being worth $30 million dollars, (amounting to $7.5 million per year) let's take look at contracts of comparable NBA point guards, to see what they are making per year.

Devin Harris (UTA)- $8.5 million (per year)
Kyrie Irving (CLE)- $7.1 million
Tyreke Evans (SAC)- $6.1 million
Kyle Lowry (TOR)- $6 million
Ricky Rubio (MIN)- $4.8 million
Mario Chalmers (MIA)- $4 million
Jrue Holliday (PHI)- $3.2 million
Darren Collison (IND)- $2.8 million

Get the picture?

Point is, the current offer sheet that the Rockets and Lin have agreed to makes him overpaid for his production.  Simple as that.

4. There Are Other Options Available

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The Rockets do need a point guard.  While Jeremy Lin might be an ideal target, it's not like he's not the available choice.

Losing out on Lin doesn't put the Rockets in do-or-die mode, it simply allows them to explore other options.

Former Philadelphia 76er, Lou Williams offers point guard handle with a potent scoring punch.  Aaron Brooks and Jonny Flynn remain intriguing options, and Raymond Felton, Leandro Barbosa and Randy Foye all are still available to be courted.