Jeremy Lin is coming back to New York. But this time he'll be wearing a different uniform.
Lin announced Friday morning that he's signing with the Brooklyn Nets. Lin broke the news on Twitter. According to The Vertical, Lin's contract is for three years and $36 million.
In February of 2012, Lin gained international fame when the little-known Harvard point guard emerged from seemingly nowhere to lead the Knicks on a remarkable run known as "Linsanity." Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson was an assistant for the Knicks back then, and worked closely to develop Lin.
Now, the 27-year-old Lin reunites with Atkinson in Brooklyn, where Lin is expected to be the starting point guard.
The signing _ the first offseason free agent landed by new GM Sean Marks _ is an important one for Brooklyn. First, the Nets desperately needed a viable point guard. They now have one. Second, Lin's signing shows that the Nets can attract talent to Brooklyn despite their less-than-desirable basketball situation: the roster is in a complete rebuild mode.
But it took less than 12 hours after free agency began for the Nets to secure Lin _ who seems a good complement to Brook Lopez, the Nets' veteran center and only other established player. Lin won't be able to officially ink the deal until July 7, when the free agency moratorium ends. The Nets still have more than $40 million of cap space to add other pieces to the roster.
Linsanity actually began against the Nets, on Feb. 4, 2012, when Lin scored 25 points off the bench in a win at Madison Square Garden. His play over the next month catapulted him from an unknown to one of the most famous basketball players on the planet.
But it didn't last. Lin parted way with the Knicks, and struggled to find an identity with the Rockets and Lakers. In Charlotte last year, Lin reestablished himself as a reliable point guard. Now, at 27 years old, Lin heads to Brooklyn to begin the next chapter of his career.
