The Knicks will officially match Jeremy Lin's $28.8 million offer sheet from the Rockets as soon as Wednesday, when the NBA moratorium ends.
First things first, the New York Knicks may have to patch things up with Lin who is, according to the New York Daily News, upset that the Knicks didn't offer him a new contract before the Houston Rockets came calling.
Despite the Knicks insisting they would match the Rockets' offer, Lin remains slighted.
"He was very surprised that the Knicks didn't make the first move," a league source told the paper. "They know they've got to mend some fences with him because he believes what the Rockets have told him, that the Knicks weren't interested as they are."
Lin, who made $788,000 last season, became a sensation with a remarkable stretch in February, scoring at least 20 points in nine of 10 games. On Feb. 10, Lin recorded a career high in points when he scored 38 points and seven assists in a 92-85 win over the Lakers.
Before his season was cut short due to a torn cartilage in his knee, Lin averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games with 25 starts.
Nevertheless, Lin is almost guaranteed to return to the Knicks, thus, highlighting a busy offseason for the Knicks.
"What he has to learn is that it's not personal," the source told the Daily News. "The Knicks merely played by the rules."
The Knicks have already reached an agreement with veteran playmaker Jason Kidd to back up Lin while attaining a sign-and-trade agreement with center Marcus Camby to mark his return to New York. Additional key Knick players, J.R. Smith and Steve Novak are also expected to sign new deals.
