Can the Detroit Pistons afford Jeremy Lin?

The point guard who brought us Linsanity found new life in Charlotte last season. Would he be happy coming off the bench to lead Detroit’s second unit?

The Detroit Pistons are in desperate need of a backup point guard. The fans know it, Stan Van Gundy knows it, and 36-year-old Steve Blake probably knows it, too. Unrestricted free agent Jeremy Lin might be a solution to their problem—if they can afford him, and if he’ll be satisfied continuing to come off the bench.

Lin reached international fame during his breakout season with the Knicks in 2012, earning the former D-Leaguer and Harvard grad a monster three-year, $25 million deal from Houston. Lin underperformed for the Rockets, and then for the Lakers, but had a solid season playing behind Kemba Walker in 2015-16, averaging 11.7 points, 3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game.

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After the Hornets were knocked out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat, Lin declined his $2.2 million contract option to become an unrestricted free agent. It was a smart move. Betting on himself is bound to pay off, especially considering the still-rising salary cap and the reliable, consistent season he just had.

So, just how much will Lin command on the open market? And can the Pistons afford him?

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Lin command a starter-level point guard’s salary, which could mean upwards of $10 million per year. Depending on whether the Pistons decide to retain forward Anthony Tolliver, backup point guard Steve Blake and third-string center Joel Anthony, they could have as much as $18 million to spend this offseason. That might mean Detroit’s other areas of need—another forward, shooting and ballhandling off the bench—would likely have to be addressed through the draft, veteran minimum-level players and relying on the health and development of players like Jodie Meeks and Reggie Bullock.

The bigger obstacle to signing Lin might be playing time. In an interview with the Taipei Times, Lin said the following about his free agency:

"Of course I am going to consider who is coaching the team, the team’s style, the players on the team and their change of winning, as well as the on-court time I have an if I have a chance to start."

The Pistons can’t offer him a starting spot. But then again, there aren’t many teams that can. To be a full-time NBA starter, Lin might have to sign with a team at the bottom of the standings, like the Nets or the 76ers. As for the rest of Lin’s considerations, Detroit’s not a bad fit: Stan Van Gundy is a well-respected coach, Lin’s strength running the pick-and-roll would fit well in his system, and the Pistons, if healthy, are a projected playoff team for the forseeable future. Van Gundy and the newly extended Jeff Bower might be able to entice Lin with the promise of at least a healthy chunk of playing time, given that Van Gundy would be wise not to play Reggie Jackson the heavy minutes he did last season.

Lin has shown that he can attack the basket, make plays for teammates, and run an offense efficiently and creatively. He’s not the most physically gifted defender, but he’s got the instincts to disrupt opposing guards off the dribble and muck up the passing lanes. He’d be a great fit for a Pistons second unit, and a tremendous upgrade over Blake.

While Lin is a bit of a longshot, he’s not completely out of the Pistons’ range. After all, the Hornets are going to struggle resign all four of Lin, Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams and Nicolas Batum, and Van Gundy and Bower have shown they’re not afraid to open the checkbook when they’re sure they’ve found their guy.