Carmelo Anthony: Lin's offer 'ridiculous' with Houston

Carmelo Anthony: Lin's offer 'ridiculous' with Houston

By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY
Updated 7/15/2012
WASHINGTON – The New York Knicks, one of the NBA's highest-spending teams, face a difficult decision: How much is Jeremy Lin worth to the franchise?
The team has said it would match any offer sheet signed by the point guard, but the contract from the Houston Rockets would hammer New York as a result of the league's new luxury tax, part of the collective bargaining agreement reached in November.
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, practicing with the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team in Washington Sunday, called the deal "ridiculous," referring to the third year that will pay Lin $14.8 million .
MORE: Does Felton trade make Lin odd man out?
The Knicks have until Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET to decide whether to match the three-year, $25 million contract . Lin has not been told by the Knicks if they plan to match Houston's offer, two people familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly .

New York's plans to retain Lin, 23, were further clouded Saturday when it reached an agreement to acquire point guard Raymond Felton from the Portland Trail Blazers in a sign-and-trade deal, a person familiar with trade discussions told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly .
South Carolina TV reporter Mark Haggard tweeted that Felton told him the Knicks did not plan to match Houston's offer. The Knicks declined to comment .
The Knicks will also acquire center-forward Kurt Thomas in the deal. New York will send forward Jared Jeffries, center Dan Gadzuric, a 2016 second-round draft pick and the rights to two European players to the Blazers, the person said.
In addition to Felton, the Knicks earlier signed Jason Kidd, who was arraigned on misdemeanor DWI Sunday in Southhampton, N.Y. Will they re-sign Lin and carry three point guards who want playing time on the roster? Or will they let Lin walk after he enlivened Madison Square Garden in February and March?
The decision might come down to money, even though Knicks owner James Dolan has made a commitment to spend top dollar and exceed the league's luxury tax threshold when necessary. If they re-sign Lin, the Knicks will be facing a quagmire in 2014 when they have $77.1 million tied up in four players — forward Amar'e Stoudemire, center Tyson Chandler, Anthony and Lin. Filling out the roster with eight more players at $1.5 million a year — a conservative estimate — brings the payroll to $89.1 million, approximately $17 million over the cap.
In the old CBA, that would be a $17 million tax bill. Under the new CBA, the hit would be $35.2 million, and could increase to more than $50 million if they exceed the luxury tax at least three times in four seasons.
Lin undoubtedly brings value to the Knicks on and off the court. He led New York to a 15-10 record as a starter and averaged 18.2 points, 7.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 25 starts.
In February, at the height of Lin's success and popularity, one of Lin's agents, Roger Montgomery, told USA TODAY Sports, "The most important endorsement we have right now is that he is the starting point guard for the New York Knicks."
Will he be the starting point guard for the New York Knicks at midnight Wednesday?