The Los Angeles Lakers may be hyping up Jeremy Lin like he was their big offseason get, but that does not mean the team is invested in him for the long-term. The Lakers traded for Lin as the future of Steve Nash continues to be put into doubt. The point guard has one year left on his contract that was signed with the Houston Rockets and it is uncertain if the Lakers intend on extending that.
The Lakers were the winners in the Lin trade. They received the point guard plus a first-round draft pick. With just the year remaining on his contract, it was a risk worth taking. Lin has shown a lot of promise in his short stint in the NBA, but also a lot of inconsistencies. However, the Lakers truly believe he has a chance to shine with the team, but maybe only for the season.
According to Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com, it is unlikely that the Lakers become a long-term home for Lin. The point will likely use this season to sell himself to other teams in hopes of getting a long-term contract elsewhere. He will be an unrestricted free agent come the summer and while he could easily get offered an extension from the team, all signs point to Lin's stay in Los Angeles being a short one.
The Lakers are going to have a large amount of cap space next season once players like Nash come off the books and they will be ready for some marquee players and All-Star talent. Bryant will have one year remaining on his contract extension, so there will be urgency to get talent in that can win a championship. That may or may not include Lin. However, it could include players like Eric Bledsoe, Rajon Rondo or Ricky Rubio.
Bledsoe may or may not be on the market. It all depends on what happens with the Phoenix Suns this summer. The two sides have been going back and forth on a long-term contract. According to Kennedy, Bledsoe will likely sign the one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Lakers would be a solid landing spot.
Rondo is another player that could be unrestricted next summer. The Boston Celtics may attempt to trade the point guard at some point this season in order to get something in return for him instead of letting the All-Star walk away for nothing in return. However, if Rondo stays on the roster through the season, the Lakers will make a run at him.
Rubio is currently preparing to be the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves at least for one more season. The point guard will be a restricted free agent next summer and is looking for a max contract in his next deal. The Timberwolves are coy on whether or not they intend on granting that wish. The Lakers may attempt to sweep in and grab the point guard possibly via a trade if they can swing it.
For this year, Lin should do very well. He is guaranteed to get a lot of playing time since Nash will likely sit more than he wants. If things go well, Lin will cash in next summer, just maybe not with the Lakers.