Should Jeremy Lin Join the Dallas Mavericks or...

Contrary to popular belief there is a life in basketball outside of New York. With the New York Knicks moving towards a new roster, is it time for Jeremy Lin to take offers from teams like the Dallas Mavericks or Golden State Warriors?

Golden State is an interesting choice for Lin for a huge number of reasons. Not the least of which the Warriors actually had him in on a tryout as a free agent once before and let him go. How they missed the first time is a big mystery but things have changed. After saving the season for the New York Knicks and flashing his talent on the biggest stage in sports, the long-suffering Warriors are willing to correct that mistake when word broke of their interest to bring him west when NBA free agency starts. It's easy to argue why Lin should go. Never mind money issues. The head coach of the Golden State Warriors is Stephen Jackson. For those who remember he actually was an All-Star during his playing days. Like Jeremy Lin he played point guard for the New York Knicks as a rookie before the team shipped him west to the Los Angeles Clippers. If anyone knows how to appreciate an underappreciated point guard its Jackson. So how possible is it for Linsanity to reach California?

Many see only two other teams aside from the Knicks that stand between Golden State and Lin. The fun part about that is both teams are likely to enter a bidding war for another point guard first. All-Star Deron Williams stated he would enter NBA free agency to test his market value and not sign a new deal with the new Brooklyn Nets franchise. The other team that most expect to make the hardest run at Williams is the Dallas Mavericks. Both squads will have high salary caps, meaning they can throw money at any player they want. It's still unclear which team has the upper hand. Some say Dallas, others say the Nets. Either way whichever team lands Williams will likely make the other resolved to make sure they get Lin as consolation. That means if Golden State wants to move their Linsanity experiment forward they may have to up the bribe. With a chance at playing for more money, Lin's time with the Knicks could end.

The Golden State Warriors are the surprise team to have interest in Jeremy Lin with NBA free agency drawing closer. Either the Dallas Mavericks or Brooklyn Nets still block the way depending on Deron Williams but if a few things go right then the young point guard might find he made the right choice by heading back to the west coast.

Comments: 14

Mike Aucksbigg May 18, 2012, 4:19pm UTC

I just want to point out that the coach of the Warriors is MARK Jackson, not Stephen. You made not one, but TWO incorrect references. I realize you're talking about Golden State and likely haven't ever given them a cursory thought, but you can go to a lot of different websites that list the current staff and roster. Don't forget; there is, in fact, basketball life outside of New York.

I sincerely hope you don't get paid for being a sports writer. Your editor should probably look for new work, as well. If anybody at Gather.com is reading this, I'll be glad to take Mr. Lambert's job. If you can get paid to publish incorrect information, I can do that all day.

Erik Lambert May 18, 2012, 4:59pm UTC

I appreciate the correction, Mike. But taking a swipe at my work for a slight oversight in first names. Considering I've written a few articles recently about the Rams running back, Steven Jackson, I'd hope you'd give me the benefit of the doubt. The fact you preferred to insult me instead shows the kind of character you have. If you'd like to comment again, please do. I welcome conversations about any sports. However, if all you're going to do is take shots, I'd much appreciate it if you did it elsewhere.

Mike Aucksbigg May 18, 2012, 6:25pm UTC

Fair enough, Mr. Lambert. I wasn't taking a shot - just breaking your b_lls a little bit. The chances of me taking your job are about 0%. Relax.

What I find insulting is that people constantly take shots at Golden State (see Amber C. below). The fact that the Warriors still take heat for Lin (Houston passed on Lin, as well) is unfair. What about the other teams that failed to draft Lin? At least the Warriors took a chance - and would likely have kept him if not for the ridiculous new CBA rule that said you had to have the cap space clear to even make an offer to a free agent. So, the Warriors brass waived Lin to take an ill-advised swing at DeAndre Jordan. You could argue about the logic of their mental process in going for the trade but it's not as if the Warriors didn't like Lin.

It's also insulting that nobody even knew who Lin was or that he was even on the Warriors...until he blew up in New York. The Warrior fans knew who Lin was and most of them were very sad to see him go. Not one person in the entire country acknowledges that - they categorically dismiss the entire Warrior organization and their fans.

To take that a step further, some sports writers don't even know the names of our staff members. (Well, some of them make casual mistakes in reference to the head coach's name.) If Mark Jackson was coaching in Miami, everybody would know exactly who he was and would probably get his name right.

The San Francisco Bay Area is not outer Mongolia. It's a world-class destination, despite the fact that their basketball team has pretty much sucked for the better part of 3 decades. I'm just one small Oakland guy out to demand a little respect for my floundering NBA squad.

As you were, sir.

Erik Lambert May 18, 2012, 6:42pm UTC

Believe me when I say I don't hate Golden State. I applaud any team that plays against the Lakers out west. The fact the team even gave Lin a tryout says they can see talent in players. It's not the first time teams have misjudged a player (see Portland not taking Jordan 1st overall in 1984). I happen to love northern California. Those Raider teams of the 1970s with Stabler, Madden and Hendricks were among my all-time favorites. That Al Davis gave a gimme Super Bowl to Los Angeles still irks me.

I'll have you know Mongolia once ruled nearly the entire continent of Asia, much like the San Francisco Bay area did. Things will get better sooner or later. I love your passion for your team, Mike, and hope you come back and comment again.

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Gary C. Gibson May 18, 2012, 5:51pm UTC

The Knicks should trade Anthony and keep Lin. Anthony could go to the Lakers to help out Bryant. yet the really interesting possibility would be to send Lebraun James to the Lakers in exchange for Andrew Bynum. Miami needs a solid center and James and his friend Wade are redundant sharing the same slot for scoring. If each could score 50 points a game they could win without Chris Bosh as evidently they cannot. The scores of each are repressed and could be liberated if they played on different teams.

Miami with Bynum, Bosh and Wade is probably a championship team, and they have other good players. The Lakers with James, Bryant and Gasol are a good team and they could get a fair forward for World Peace. Then they would need a Bill Russel style center to play defense.

http://www.lakersnation.com/andrew-bynum-laughing-at-end-of-lakers-collapse-in-game-2/2012/05/17/

Erik Lambert May 18, 2012, 6:19pm UTC

Interesting idea. I don't know if the Lakers organization could handle Bryant and James on the same team. Bynum, for all his talent, can't elevate enough with Kobe. If he can't do that, then he won't do it in Miami. I still James would make a great Chicago Bull. He can dominate games and leave the last shots to Rose. Perfect marriage.

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