Knicks mum on Jeremy Lin’s departure

Knicks mum on Jeremy Lin’s departure

By Steve Popper / The Record (Hackensack N.J.)
Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Knicks remained silent Wednesday, not commenting on the decision to let Jeremy Lin go — which was just slightly quieter than they were to Lin himself.

Lin, speaking to Sports Illustrated, said he received a call at 11 p.m. from Knicks GM Glen Grunwald — a call that lasted just 30 seconds saying "We wanted to keep you, but it couldn’t work out. Tell your family I say hello, and good luck the rest of the way."
While the Knicks refused to explain the decision — just as they had yet to comment on the trade that
sealed Lin’s fate, bringing point guard Raymond Felton from Portland — Lin opened up on a variety of subjects relating to his departure.

He insisted he wanted to remain with the Knicks and had no reason to believe he wouldn’t. He said that when he had dinner with head coach Mike Woodson just before free agency began Woodson assured him that he would be the starting point guard. That was the same thing that Woodson asserted publicly shortly afterward, when the Knicks missed out on Steve Nash and opted for Jason Kidd as a free agent pickup.

"Woodson was saying, ’You’re going to be a starter, you’re going to be a big part of the team,’" Lin told SI. "I came away really excited."

The Knicks weren’t confirming anything more than the fact that they chose not to match the three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet that the Rockets tendered to the restricted free agent. This came after numerous assurances by Woodson and Grunwald that the Knicks would match any offer.

New York never made a formal offer themselves, sending him out to search for an offer. When he originally agreed to a four-year, $28.8 million offer sheet — with the third year for $9 million with a team option for the final $9.2 million year. Woodson shrugged it off and said the Knicks would match.

But when Lin and the Rockets met again and changed the terms of the offer sheet, making it a guaranteed three-year deal with the final year a $14.9 million poison pill which would have cost the Knicks dearly in luxury tax — as much as $40 million in total — suddenly the Knicks went silent. Woodson refused to speak to media at the Knicks summer league in Las Vegas. Grunwald was, as usual, not speaking.

But it wasn’t just the usual Knicks media blackout or messages to the fan base — it was also Lin who found himself in the dark. There wasn’t a word from anyone in the organization, not even when he saw internet reports of the trade to bring Felton — who told a Myrtle Beach, SC television station that he was assured Lin wasn’t returning.

"Felton’s signing was the first time when I thought, ’Oh, wow, I might not be a Knick,’" Lin said.

Still, Lin took the high road on his departure, admitting that he preferred New York and he had only kind words even for Garden chairman James Dolan, who had the final say on his departure after assuring him he’d be a big part of the organization. Lin also pointed out that his decision to sit out in the playoffs after commenting that he was at 85 percent was a misinterpretation — that he meant he was 15 percent from the minimum health needed to play — was aided by teammates and Dolan telling him to sit and consider his long-term future.

Lin’s only public comment Wednesday came in a statement he released that read: "I loved this past year with the Knicks and truly appreciate the opportunity that New York gave me. The way the fans fully embraced me and our team was something I’ll always cherish forever. It was an extraordinary and unforgettable time that was easily the best year of my life.

"Now I am excited to be back with the Rockets. They made a very compelling pitch in terms of what I could bring to the team and for the city. I am also impressed with (Rockets owner) Mr. (Les) Alexander and the management’s commitment to improving the team. I’m excited about contributing to the Rockets winning tradition and competing with my new teammates."