Jeremy Lin fans caught in the business vs. loyalty crunch

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OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 6: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 6, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Brooklyn Nets traded Jeremy Lin earlier this month, sparking fury among his fans. Lin’s supporters have a point to make about loyalty vs. business.

Rumors had swirled since the end of the 2017-18 season that Jeremy Lin would be shipped out by the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.

Despite the buzz that included speculation linking Lin to the Orlando Magic and other teams, when the Summer League began, Jeremy Lin thought he would be a Brooklyn Net this season.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Lin did not get any calls from general manager Sean Marks or the Brooklyn Nets the night before the trade.

"“I didn’t [get a call from the Nets]. My agent called me just to clarify. But no, I don’t think there’s any truth to it.”"

However, the following morning, he got the call from Marks telling him he had been traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Marks explained his call to Lin and commented on the situation.

"“I updated him,” Marks said. “And these things can happen pretty quickly. Summer league, Vegas, maybe it’s a little like the winter meetings for baseball where everybody is there and it gives everybody an opportunity to continue to talk and hash some things out. “I talked to Jeremy that morning, and obviously things transpired pretty quickly. I talked to him again afterwards, and he handled it like a true professional and gentleman. It’s a tough decision for everybody. I certainly don’t like having to make those calls, but at the end of the day that comes with the territory, and he handled it terrific and we wish him nothing but the best.”"

The NBA is a business and this NBA offseason has proved anything can happen, despite what a team tells a player.