Brooklyn Nets: Jeremy Lin Discusses Why He Signed With Nets

The Brooklyn Nets signed Jeremy Lin to a three-year deal this past offseason. Lin could’ve signed elsewhere, but decided the Nets were a great fit. He recently explained his reasoning behind the decision.

A solid 2015-16 season with the Charlotte Hornets put Jeremy Lin in a good position as a free agent going into the offseason. Lin could’ve signed with a plethora of teams if he wanted to serve as a sixth-man type off of the bench. But Lin, of course, ultimately decided on joining the Brooklyn Nets on a three-year deal, worth $36 million.

Lin’s reasoning was simple: He wanted to be more than a role player off the bench, and the Nets provided that opportunity. Lin told CLNS Radio that the Nets encouraged him to be a leader on the team, rather than just a role player.

"“They just wanted to let me go,” Lin said. “It’s not like, that overly complicated, but I wasn’t looking for anything overly complicated. I just wanted to be myself, someone who trusted my instincts, [and] trusted my talent. That’s basically what the pitch was about — you’ll get a chance to be you.”"

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Lin also talked about the difference between the Hornets and the Nets, pertaining to his new role. With the Hornets, Lin noted, he would be relied on to provide a scoring burst from time to time. But as an entrenched starter, Lin has more of an expanded role in Brooklyn. “Here,” Lin said, “I’ve just got to make the right play every time.”

Lin, who worked on his jump shot all offseason, sounded confident in his offensive ability. “I’m not passing up shots,” Lin said. “I want to shoot three’s. I’ve worked a lot on it, I’m confident in it.” Lin reiterated that he won’t pass up an open look, but as a point guard, he will also focus on getting others involved. “I’m not going to pass up any shots, but I’m definitely going to try to get everybody involved at the same time.”

Overall, Lin says he doesn’t expect that big of a change in the way he plays the game. When asked what he might do in his new role that he hasn’t done in the past, Lin gave a simple answer. “Just more time, more minutes. I don’t think I’m going to change that much, there’s not going to be anything that [fans] will see and be like ‘Oh, he’s never done that before.’ I’ll probably just do what I’ve been doing and keep playing the way I’ve been playing, but probably do it a little bit more, because I have more minutes.”

For the Nets, that was a perfect answer. Brooklyn simply needs Lin to be the player he is. They don’t need Lin to come in and be a hero. With Lin facilitating the offense, the Nets will be in good hands at point guard. He has worked hard to improve his shot, which, combined with his ability to drive, will only make him tougher to defend.

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Many of the contracts that were signed this offseason, and those that will be signed in the coming years make Lin’s $36 million deal look like a bargain. Both sides felt that this was a good match, and it’s because of Lin that Brooklyn is set at point guard.