Brooklyn Nets: Looking at Possible Depth Charts for 2016-17
By Sandy Mui
Starting Point Guard: Jeremy Lin
The Nets had big shoes to fill at the point guard position after waiving Jarrett Jack and opting not to re-sign Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan. Brooklyn was able to acquire Jeremy Lin for just $36 million on a three-year deal, and there’s no question that Lin will get the starting role.
This will be Lin’s second stint in the New York area. His last season in New York was with the Knicks, where “Linsanity” first emerged. That season, Lin posted the best numbers of his career: 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. His subsequent stints with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers were not as impressive, and Lin has been working to redeem himself ever since.
The 27-year-old point guard is coming off a solid season with the Charlotte Hornets, where he served as a role player. In Charlotte, Lin averaged a respectable 11.7 points and three assists per game. Though he probably won’t explode as “Linsanity” again, Lin is a huge addition to a Nets’ team that has struggled at the point since the departure of Deron Williams.
Lin will be backed by Greivis Vasquez and Isaiah Whitehead. Vasquez is a strong candidate for sixth man, while Whitehead is expected to receive extra playing time as the season progresses. Whitehead, though mainly a shooting guard, is anticipated to see time running the point. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson previously stated that he views Whitehead primarily as a point guard.
Kenny Atkinson says he sees Isaiah Whitehead as a PG first because of his passing ability.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) June 28, 2016
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