The manager of the Kaohsiung Steelers yesterday declined to say whether the team had initiated contact with Jeremy Lin following the former NBA star’s announcement that he was leaving the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), but added that any team would jump at any chance to strengthen their roster.
Earlier in the day, Lin wrote on Instagram that he is to leave the CBA, where he is playing for the Guangzhou Loong Lions.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” he wrote. “I still love the game of basketball and look forward to getting back to the court one day.”
Photo: AP
For his next step, the 34-year-old point guard said he plans to return to the US to “rest and reset before I make a decision with my family.”
Chinese media have speculated that Lin might make a move to Taiwan’s P.League+ to join the struggling Steelers.
The Kaohsiung team have had a rough start to their season, losing all but one of their 12 games.
In search of a shake-up, the team earlier this month signed former NBA player Viacheslav Kravtsov.
On Monday, they announced that they had released Manny Harris and Terrence Jones from their contracts, leaving Kravtsov, Femi Olujobi and Aaron Harrison as the team’s three imported players — the maximum allowed to play in a game under league rules.
If signed, it is unclear whether Lin would be classified as a local or imported player.
Asked whether the team would pursue a deal with Lin, Steelers general manager Kenny Kao declined to respond.
However, he did say that when a team’s performance is lacking, if there is any opportunity to improve, “I believe that not only us, but any team would look to up their game.”
Kao said that the Steelers need “a lot of help.”
“If there is any practical way to improve our performance, we will definitely all strive to achieve it,” he added.
P.League+ founder and chief executive officer Charles “Blackie” Chen commented on Lin’s post, wishing him the best.
Since signing with Guangzhou in September, Lin has played seven games averaging 11.6 minutes, 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
This was his third season in the CBA, following two seasons with the Beijing Ducks.
The New Taipei Kings in August signed Lin’s younger brother, Joseph Lin, in what many speculated was a move designed to attract Jeremy Lin.
Joseph Lin has been playing in Taiwan since 2015, initially with the Taipei Fubon Braves of the Super Basketball League before signing with the Kings.
Jeremy Lin in his post indicated that he would have news soon on his future in the game.
“When I have a decision, I will be sure to let everyone know,” he wrote, adding: “Much love.”
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