The NBA trade deadline isn't until Feb. 7, but the rumor mill already has begun.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Tuesday that the Kings have expressed interest in trading for Atlanta Hawks veteran point guard Jeremy Lin.
Sacramento is among the teams that have expressed exploratory trade interest in Hawks guard Jeremy Lin, according to league sources— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2019
Sources also have told NBC Sports California's James Ham that Sacramento has been kicking the tires on bringing in a conventional backup point guard to help stabilize the second unit. Lin surely would fit that mold.
As Lin is an impending free agent and has a contract worth over $12 million this season, Stein indicates the Hawks likely would be looking for expiring contracts such as Zach Randolph or Kosta Koufos to complete the deal.
The Kings, meanwhile, would appear to be a natural destination for Lin, given Sacramento's push to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and the expiring contracts it has available to swap in Zach Randolph and Kosta Koufos— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2019
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Lin, 30, is a Palo Alto native who's currently averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 assists in 19.5 minutes per game with the lowly Hawks (13-30). Given Atlanta's desire to rebuild around rookie point guard Trae Young, it isn't surprising that the team would be looking to move Lin to a contender.
Lin took over the sports world in 2012 with "Linsanity," when he initially burst on the scene with the New York Knicks. Although the highs of Linsanity were impossible to sustain, the veteran has established himself as a solid backup point guard across his eight-year NBA career.
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If a trade to the Kings were to occur, Lin would join a crowded backcourt with De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Iman Shumpert, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Frank Mason III, Ben McLemore and Yogi Ferrell.
