Free agency has become one of, if not, the most exciting time in the NBA calendar. New deals are reported before the actual start time, players are scheming to figure out who they want to team up with, and the shifting of these allegiances brings an entirely new dynamic to the upcoming season
There is another side to it, though, for players who aren’t quite in demand, and a former Toronto Raptor shared what that’s like. At an event in Taiwan, NBA champion and unsigned guard Jeremy Lin shared his emotional and honest feelings towards the free agency period.
“There’s a saying, and it says once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up,” Lin said. “But, rock bottom just seems to keep getting more and more rock bottom for me.
“So, free agency has been tough. ‘Cause I feel like, in some ways, the NBA has kind of given up on me.”
This is a sobering reality for a player who once commanded the attention of the league from the “Mecca of Basketball” no less in New York, bringing ‘Linsanity’ to the Knicks and Madison Square Garden with a magical run that saw him average 26.8 points per game over a six-game winning streak including a game-winner in Toronto that had the away fans on their feet.
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INDIANAPOLIS – FEBRUARY 26: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 31: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Golden State Warriors drives upcourt against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks looks on against the New Jersey Nets on February 4, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Nets 99-92. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 8: Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks shoots against JaVale McGee #34 of the Washington Wizards during the game at the Verizon Center on February 8, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 15: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Houston Rockets in the huddle prior to a game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 15, 2012 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 31:Jeremy Lin #9 of the Houston Rockets takes a shot over Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks at the Toyota Center on December 31, 2012 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 16:Kiyan Anthony, the son of Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks grabs ahold of Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets during the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest part of 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 14: Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets poses for portraits during the NBAE Circuit as part of 2013 All-Star Weekend at the Hilton Americas Hotel on February 14, 2012 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 23:Chandler Parsons #25 and Jeremy Lin #7 of the Houston Rockets rebound against the Dallas Mavericks on December 23, 2013 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin (17) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Mike Conley (11) of the Memphis Grizzlies, November 26, 2014 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck(Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – FEBRUARY 8: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on Februay 8, 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Rocky W. Widner/Getty Images)Up Next
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Lin was traded to the Raptors from Atlanta last season, where he was relegated behind Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet throughout their championship run. He only recorded 27 total minutes in the postseason, not helping his value much going into free agency.
He hasn’t generated much interest in the league since his contract expired although Euroleague champs CSKA Moscow are reportedly targeting Lin. He has been open to continuing his career overseas in Asia, and one can only hope he gets back to doing what he loves most soon enough.
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