This file photo shows Jeremy Lin waving as he arrives at a media event in Taipei, Taiwan, July 18, 2014. AP
DALLAS, United States – Jeremy Lin, the first American NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, could be on his way to the Dallas Mavericks next season, according to reports Monday.
The 26-year-old free agent point guard, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, is near to agreeing terms on a deal that would bring Lin to the Mavericks.
No deals can be finalized until Thursday but teams and players can talk and agree to terms and many deals have been agreed upon since the free agency negotiation period opened last Wednesday.
In 2012, Lin became famous worldwide while playing for the New York Knicks. With players sidelined by injury and suspension and Lin struggling to stay on the roster, he was inserted into a game and helped the Knicks win.
New York went 7-0 with Lin as a starter or playing major minutes in a game and the Knicks battled back to a .500 record for that point in the season, every victory adding to the phenomenon dubbed “Linsanity.”
Lin, who first broke into the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, was allowed to leave for the Houston Rockets in 2012 when the Knicks did not match an offer to him. Lin spent two seasons with Houston before being traded to the Lakers in July last year.
The Mavericks have been busy making free agency deals, striking terms with center DeAndre Jordan and shooting guard Wesley Matthews to replace center Tyson Chandler and guard Monta Ellis.
But with point guard Rajon Rondo off to Sacramento, Dallas would have a spot for Lin if they can agree to a deal. They have a salary cap exception of $2.8 million (£1.8m, 2.5m euros) that could be used for Lin or to re-sign veteran guard J.J. Barea.