2012 NBA Free Agents: 6 Teams That Should Outbid Knicks for Jeremy Lin
On Tuesday, I looked at all of the advantages the New York Knicks should have in an attempt to keep Jeremy Lin in a Knicks uniform.
Now is an opportunity to look at some other teams that could make it difficult for the Knicks to do so.
While the Knicks don't have Lin's full Bird rights, they have the opportunity to match any offer coming in for him during the offseason, and there are sure to be some. The Knicks will likely attempt to match any offer, but other teams can make sure they will be cash-strapped in doing so.
Other teams will be limited in what they can offer Lin, as the "Gilbert Arenas Provision" in the CBA limits the amount of money that teams can offer first- or second-year restricted free agents. This means that no team can offer such a player more than the mid-level exception for the first year of the contract.
However, teams can still put together enough of a back-loaded deal to force the Knicks into a tough financial decision.
Here's a look at a few teams that could be in position to do exactly that.
Los Angeles Lakers
This isn't as crazy as it sounds. Ramon Sessions has a players option that there's no guarantee that he'll exercise. With some additional dollars also coming off the payroll next season, the Lakers could at least take a long look at Lin.
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland shed some money at the trade deadline, and with no young point guard on the roster other than Nolan Smith, the Blazers could be looking for their point guard of the future.
If that's the case, with a pair of lottery picks in hand as well, they could improve their team in other areas too.
Utah Jazz
Utah's loaded with frontcourt talent and could target young backcourt players with a potential pair of lottery picks as well.
The Jazz could take a different route altogether and make a serious run at Lin. There's enough talent in Utah right now that Lin could be the missing piece for a lengthy postseason run.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have a nice point guard duo in Darren Collison and George Hill, but they could attempt to move Collison and make a run at signing Lin.
Indiana is currently in a very good position when it comes to the salary cap, and it has some flexibility to make some moves.
New Jersey Nets
Deron Williams could be on his way out of town, and if that's the case, the Nets will have a ton of money to throw around and will be looking for an immediate replacement.
They could offer Lin the max amount they can and force the Knicks into making a tough financial commitment.
New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets are in a rebuilding mode and could look to make a big splash by offering Lin big money.
Do that and re-sign Eric Gordon, plus a pair of lottery picks, and New Orleans could look good on paper before long.
