Jeremy Lin is The Biggest Bargain in 2016 Free Agency: Why NBA Star Chose to Sign With Brooklyn Nets Despite Being Underpaid

By Junrell Calunod, CP Contributor Friday, July 15, 2016

Jeremy Lin, who was among Charlotte Hornets' star players last season, has recently signed a multi-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets, making fans hopeful that the 27-year-old point guard will again generate the "Linsanity" euphoria he once created in New York. But some sports analysts said that the NBA star is underpaid with his new contract with the Nets.

Lin Tops The Biggest Bargains in Free Agency

On July 7, Brooklyn Nets announced that it inked a 3-year contract with Lin. According to Nets' General Manager Sean Marks, the team decided to sign him because he is a "proven veteran point guard with strong leadership qualities" who will perfectly fit to the team's culture and to the style of play that Nets coach Kenny Atkinson wanted to implement.

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Although the terms of the deal were not released, according to a list of the biggest bargains in this summer's free agency compiled by CBS Sports, Lin is underpaid with his 3-year contract with the Nets that costs $36 million. Lin's deal with the Nets reportedly include an annual salary of $11.5 million this season, $12 million in the second year and $12.5 million in the third year, in case he will not opt out.

The report pointed out that Lin is underpaid because of the tremendous value that the Nets could get from the newly signed NBA star. It stated that Lin's national and international popularity could help the Nets in rebuilding its image and in developing solid fan base.

Why Lin Opted to Sign With Brooklyn Nets Despite Being Underpaid

According to another report of CBS Sports, Lin wanted to get a starting role that is why he opted to sign with the Nets despite the potential of earning big from other teams. Another reason why he chose Nets was his desire to reunite with Atkinson.

Atkinson is the new coach of the Nets. Although he is not yet widely popular as a coach, he has a long experience in the league and has been praised by his former players. He was the assistant coach of the Knicks during the time when Lin achieved massive stardom.

"When you're around him, you kind of understand there's something different about him: his energy, his passion, the juice he approaches his work with," Lin commented about Atkinson in an interview with The New York Times last April. "He doesn't leave any stone unturned," he added.

Lin has a total of 369 games in his entire NBA career, appearing in six seasons. His previous teams include Hornets (2015-16), Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15), Houston Rockets (2012-14), New York Knicks (2011-12) and Golden State Warriors (2010-11).