It sounds like interest around the NBA in Hawks point guard Jeremy Lin is picking up, according to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). After missing most of the last two seasons in Brooklyn due to injuries, Lin is averaging 10.9 PPG and 3.6 APG with an efficient .502/.380/.821 in the final year of his contract.
Lin’s salary is fairly sizable ($13.77MM), but given the lack of clear-cut sellers around the league, as well as the number of teams that could use one more play-maker, he could be a sought-after trade chip. Smith speculates that the Hawks should be able to secure a “decent asset” – albeit nothing “amazing” – in return for Lin if they move him by February 7.
Here’s more from around the Southeast:
- After waiving Ron Baker earlier this week, the Wizards now have two open spots on their 15-man roster and will need to fill at least one of those two openings soon. Head coach Scott Brooks said on Tuesday that the club is exploring its options, with power forward and point guard among the positions that could be fortified (Twitter link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington).
- Point guard remains the most problematic spot for the Magic, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic details. While Orlando hasn’t fallen out of the playoff race in the East yet, the club may require a trade in order to fortify its bench and avoid slipping from contention, writes Robbins. It remains to be seen whether the Magic will be buyers or sellers at the deadline.
- The Lakeland Magic have waived forward Justin Jackson, the team announced today (via Twitter). While Orlando’s G League affiliate will no longer carry the Maryland product, who suffered a season-ending injury, the Magic still hold the NBA rights for Jackson, the 43rd pick in the 2018 draft.
- [UPDATE: Lakeland has since deleted its tweet announcing the release of Jackson. It’s not clear what this means for his spot on the roster.
- Hawks big man Miles Plumlee, who underwent a non-surgical procedure on his left knee in December, underwent another procedure on that same knee this week, per a press release from the team. The Hawks say Plumlee will be re-evaluated in about two weeks, while Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the procedure was a PRP-like injection.
Luke, you think wizards are going to put Ariza back up on the block?
It’ll probably depend how the next three-ish weeks go — for now, I think they still believe they can make the playoffs and aren’t ready to sell.
A Jeremy Lin-for-Terrence Ross & Jerian Grant trade makes sense for both teams, more for Orlando, though it’s hard to say what’s best for a tanking-type team like Atlanta. They are both expiring and salaries match.
The Athletic’s criticism of Orlando PGs is not of Augustin, who is doing well but only playing 28′ p/g despite lack of depth maybe due to being 31. Orlando seemed so pleased with themselves by acquiring Grant, 26, in a weird trade, but now they need to find another. Lin is a deluxe backup and Jon Isaac can go fulltime 3 with Fournier at the 2.
Backup PG would then be Atlanta’s problem, but Grant was better at Chicago. At the 3, Ross 27 is an improvement over Bembry 24, but does Atlanta want marginal improvement that is not younger? Orlando would have to send a bit more probably for enticement.