3. Boston
Dec 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward
Jeff Green(8) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (left) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Next, we’ll look as Lin as part of potential blockbuster deals.
Part of what makes Lin so desirable as a trade target is the fact his contract is expiring and it works into big deals. With the Lakers rumored to be interested in Rajon Rondo, Lin or Steve Nash are almost guaranteed to be in any scenario for financial reasons, with the former being more likely considering he can actually play on the court this year.
Obviously the mindset of this trade would be different, with the Lakers parting with some of their assets to bring in a player like Rondo. Lin would join a Boston team that’s also tanking, but he’d be playing for a coach who is far more competent than Scott. He would likely have the offense play to his strengths more than the Lakers’ offense has, an intriguing prospect for Lin and his fans. However, it’s unlikely he’d be in their future plans either with the Celtics having drafted Marcus Smart in last year’s draft.
For the Lakers, they’d be getting a player back in Rondo that many fans feel would be a nice complement to Bryant as a defensive, pass-first player who can defer to Bryant, but still make plays when called upon. This year, however, he would come with the risk of losing him in free agency, something the Lakers are unfortunately familiar with (damn Dwight Howard).