Knicks · lin might not resign (page 1)

While both Lin and the Knicks are hoping for a reunion, sources say that if any clubs offer Lin, a restricted free agent, a backloaded contract that pays him an eight-figure salary in the third and fourth years, the Knicks could be given pause about matching the offer.

With the new collective bargaining agreement employing a more punitive luxury tax, beginning in the 2013-14 season, the Knicks are extremely concerned about the financial ramifications of such a deal.

Toronto is perhaps the only team that might consider offering Lin a backloaded contract, known as a "poison pill" deal. The Raptors are currently going all-out to sign Steve Nash. Toronto has offered Nash a three-year deal worth $36 million, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

But if Nash, who is also considering Phoenix, New York, Dallas and Brooklyn, rejects Toronto's offer, the Raptors may turn their attention toward Lin.

The Knicks can offer Lin a four-year deal worth $24.5 million. But an opposing team can offer Lin a poison pill that could go as high as $40 million over four years. Such a contract would pay Lin $5 million in each of the first two years and then go as high as $15 million in each of the last two years.

Matching such a contract would give the Knicks four players -- Lin, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler -- making more than $14 million in the 2014-2015 season. Those four players alone would have a combined salary of $72 million, nearly $2 million above the luxury tax.

While it may be doubtful that a club goes as high as $15 million in a season for Lin, even if one offered Lin roughly $10 million in the third and fourth years of a contract, the Knicks would be cautious about matching, according to a source.

Toronto, Dallas and Brooklyn have all expressed interest in Lin, according to sources, though he is a backup plan for each of the clubs.

The Knicks have said they plan to let the market dictate Lin's value, so they have not offered him a contract yet. With the ability to match any offer he receives, they plan to wait and see what Lin commands as a free agent. They just hope he doesn't command too much.
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=8...

Elite wrote:if we let Lin go and get Nash mark my words karma will doom us

But if we sign lin for 15 mil/yr, karma will also doom us.

matt wrote:If some stupid team (the Nets) wants to offer him a deal where at any point he gets 15 million a year, they can have him. That's a 4yr/$40 million Gerald Wallace type deal

That's how i feel about it.....I'd hate to lose the kid but if he takes a contract like that, i can admire him from afar......

matt wrote:If some stupid team (the Nets) wants to offer him a deal where at any point he gets 15 million a year, they can have him. That's a 4yr/$40 million Gerald Wallace type deal

Im with U no way in hell he is worth that.

3 years @ 10 mil a year for Nash is a bit extreme (reports of 3/36mil might be exaggerated)don't you think?

Do we really think that we can have a Nash/Lin starting back court?

Is it reasonable for Lin to be a back up?

On a team that is not very deep do we sign and trade using Lando/Douglas and be left with just Nash?

And we going to bank on 39 year old point? If Toronto wants him to be the face of the franchise and reboot it for all of Canada thats cool and perhaps work the money.

I can see where we might be inclined to allowed Lin to walk in a sign and trade ourselves to get him his money and get pieces in return.

Or, Do we trade Lin straight up to PHX for Nash?

How good can Lin really be? Thats the question. I realize we are in win now mode but really what is the upside here?

Can Nash hold up to a full season with a team that likely will be thin on the bench and have the chemistry to pull it all together for a championship run?

Starphuching at its finest.

If the media won't champion the concept we'll label it hate once again.

I'll remain suspect. I've seen this movie too many times!

So a backup PG with a huge upside on marketing based on a month in Cinderellaville is going to command 10 mil a year?

This sounds like agents talking to the media, while Lin's busy getting that knee in shape.

Im sure the Raptors are thinking about the Nite of Linsanity and the full house they had. Toronto basically has its team on a national cable deal as its the only team in the country so his value, as is Nash if very high.

Its a a play out of the Yankees to gain viewership on its cable channel.

Its a starphuch of sorts, but one that pays a return on investment.

Its always possible Nash degrades and Lin does not get much better. But 15-8 in 25 games with some bad games thrown in and some on a bad knee is not too shabby.

Paying for potential is nothing new.

Nalod wrote:Maybe we are driving up the price on Nash so toronto has to pay up for him.

3 years @ 10 mil a year for Nash is a bit extreme (reports of 3/36mil might be exaggerated)don't you think?

Do we really think that we can have a Nash/Lin starting back court?

Is it reasonable for Lin to be a back up?

On a team that is not very deep do we sign and trade using Lando/Douglas and be left with just Nash?

And we going to bank on 39 year old point? If Toronto wants him to be the face of the franchise and reboot it for all of Canada thats cool and perhaps work the money.

I can see where we might be inclined to allowed Lin to walk in a sign and trade ourselves to get him his money and get pieces in return.

Or, Do we trade Lin straight up to PHX for Nash?

How good can Lin really be? Thats the question. I realize we are in win now mode but really what is the upside here?

Can Nash hold up to a full season with a team that likely will be thin on the bench and have the chemistry to pull it all together for a championship run?

Starphuching at its finest.

If the media won't champion the concept we'll label it hate once again.

I'll remain suspect. I've seen this movie too many times!

+1. It's time for a new script.

gunsnewing wrote:Lin might as well leave if we trade for Nash. Then Nash can tear an acl and mcl in his first game as a knick and retire and continue to get paid while Linsanity goes on in toronto ir Brooklyn

It's not up to Lin if he leaves or not. Hence "restricted" free agent.

gunsnewing wrote:Lin might as well leave if we trade for Nash. Then Nash can tear an acl and mcl in his first game as a knick and retire and continue to get paid while Linsanity goes on in toronto ir Brooklyn

Then we can replay the "Baron Davis as Saviour" script again.