FanPost

People seem to be pretty worked up about losing Lin...don't be...


Here's some observations...

How pissed off would Kidd be backing up Felton when he is planning on playing with Lin? Lin, who reveres Kidd, no problem, but behind Felton? lol

Swapping Felton for Lin would be met with immense disgust from the fanbase. Not that Lin is the second coming of Steve Nash, but at least there is still a chance that might come to fruition, I think it's safe to say Felton will never be a Steve Nash. He is what he is...after being in the league 7 years, there really isn't much more upside. So, unless Felton is a perceived upgrade over Lin by the fanbase (he's not), how can a sports organization make such a swap and hope to sell jerseys and have people buy tickets to games if they are downgrading from a fan favorite to a less popular one? The answer is that they CAN'T...

The only reason for trying to delay getting Lin's offer sheet is that you need more time...why do you need more time? To crunch the numbers on the impact of Lin's contract on the bottom line? I would hope not, since it would mean the Knicks are clueless about financial planning...they should already have that max threshold number or financial footprint for Lin figured out (maxed at $40 million). The only reasonable conclusion is that there are other trades on the table. Multi team trades that are waiting for pieces to fall into place. It could make sense for the organization to let Lin go only if they can make another deal that can be perceived as an upgrade. That's the only way you keep your fanbase.

I don't have any inside information, but from what we know there are 2 big players in play or will be in play next year...Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. I think most organizations would view acquiring either or both of those players as an upgrade. What if the Knicks are trying to orchestrate a trade for one or both of these players? Bear with me...The Magic are going to lose Howard regardless...what players on the Knicks would they like in exchange? There's only 2 players in the league with a no trade clause (Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki), so everyone on the Knicks are available in trade. What if Felton was acquired to be traded elsewhere? What if there are discussions to sign and trade Lin (plus another player) to the Clippers for Chris Paul (who can opt out of his contract next year)? What if Tyson Chandler and Melo (or Felton) are being shopped to the Magic for Howard?

Whatever the deal, whether Lin stays are not, is dependent of the perceived value of letting him go. Some companies (Coca Cola) that bought Chinese focused courtside ads are gonna be pissed. The Knicks can kiss goodbye any chance of getting any more Asian TV money. The dollars point to Lin staying...there's over a Billion Chinese consumers on the table, and the Knicks have the only NBA star with a Chinese heritage. To give that up, the payback would have to be huge.

Finally, why do people believe everything they read in social media, or sports media for that matter? People are throwing stuff at the wall to see if it sticks...realize this...