Taiwanese-American guard Jeremy Lin and the Atlanta Hawks have finalized a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for him to sign for the Toronto Raptors.
Lin’s agents Jim Tanner and Roger Montgomery on Monday told ESPN that he had reached a buyout agreement with the Hawks and is expected to sign with the Raptors by the middle of the week after clearing waivers.
He is unlikely to be claimed by any team off waivers because of his high US$13.8 million salary for this season.
The 30-year-old Lin became a household name in 2012 when his incredible run with the New York Knicks sparked what became known as “Linsanity.”
He has averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds for the Hawks this season.
Toronto are to become Lin’s eighth NBA team, after stints with the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets, the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks.
Toronto head coach Nick Nurse could not comment on the potential acquisition of Lin because he has yet to join the team, but Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, who was a Knicks assistant coach when “Linsanity” erupted, saw Lin as fitting in with the Raptors.
“Heck of an addition for the Raptors,” Atkinson was quoted as saying by Newsday. “What I always said about Jeremy is he’s a heck of a competitor, a much better defender than people think. He fits the style of play I think Nick wants to play.”
National Taiwan University of Arts head coach Lee Po-lun, an NBA analyst for Videoland Sports, yesterday said in Taipei that Lin’s addition to the Raptors would be good for both the player and the team.
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