Houston Rockets Rumors: Jeremy Lin Would Be a Poor Fit in Houston

Restricted free agent Jeremy Lin is entertaining a move back to the Houston Rockets, but this would be an inadvisable decision. 

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported via Twitter that Lin will travel south tomorrow:

"

Jeremy Lin will visit the Houston Rockets tomorrow, sources say.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 3, 2012"

The point guard started his career with the Golden State Warriors and spent time in the D-League. He was cut by Golden State and was subsequently claimed on waivers by Houston. 

His career with the Rockets lasted less than a month as the team let him go in order to clear cap space. 

The New York Knicks then picked him up, and he burst onto the NBA scene when he recorded at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five starts. He finished the year with averages of 14.6 points and 6.2 assists. 

His remarkable success made him a national sensation and only Derrick Rose sold more jerseys domestically between April of 2011 and April of 2012, according to NBA.com. 

Now, Lin is weighing his options and deciding whether or not to continue his career with the Knicks. 

New York is the right place for him to be.

He has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and has solidified his role as a starter on the team. His unique background and amiable personality give him serious star power, and there is no place in the country where that is more valuable. 

Houston is a big market, but the team already has Kyle Lowry on the roster. It does not make sense for Lin to leave New York—where he has nailed down a starting spot—and head to Houston just to throw himself into a situation where he must battle Lowry for minutes. 

Lin holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard, so he will play the free-agent market wisely in order to maximize his value this offseason. This visit with Houston is likely part of the plan to do just that.

Fielding offers from other teams will also give Lin backup plans in case the Knicks are able to sign Steve Nash, who visited with New York, as noted by Steve Popper of The Record (h/t to BostonHerald.com). 

But the Rockets are nowhere near an ideal fit for his skill set. The best place for him is New York, and after meaningless posturing from both sides, he will return to Madison Square Garden.