The Waiting...Deja Vu

This waiting to see if and when Jeremy Lin gets signed to a free agent contract in 2020 reminds me of 2010. During the run up to the 2010 draft, we were hoping someone would take a chance on him in the 2nd round. 

The reports were good from Portsmouth and from multiple team workouts. The Los Angeles Lakers & New York Knicks each had two 2nd round picks while the Miami Heat had 4 picks! Instead these guys got picked (only Fields had even a decent NBA career): 

32 Dexter Pittman (MIA) 

38 Andy Rautins (NYK) 

39 Landry Fields (NYK) 

41 Jarvis Varnardo(MIA) 

42 Da'Sean Butler (MIA) 

43 Devin Ebanks (LAL) 

48 Latavious Williams (MIA) 

58 Derrick Caracter (LAL) 

Bleacher Report, The Ringer, and others all have Jeremy Lin in the lottery of a 2010 mock redraft. The Ringer just did it's mock redraft for 2010: 

1 Paul George 

2 John Wall 

3 Gordan Hayward 

4 Demarcus Cousins 

5 Eric Bledsoe 

6 Derrick Favors 

7 Avery Bradley 

8 Greg Monroe 

9 Ed Davis 

10 Jeremy Lin 

I'd even put him above Monroe and Davis for sure and could possibly move higher with a strong finish to his career. 

Now, as we wait, we see free agent after free agent point guard sign. I feel Jeremy is as valuable if not more so than all of these as of today. 

Jordan Bone 

Ky Bowman 

Trey Burke 

Facundo Campazzo 

Jevon Carter 

Michael Carter Williams 

Matthew Dellavedova 

Kris Dunn 

Frank Jackson 

Raul Neto 

Elfrid Payton 

Austin Rivers 

Rajon Rondo 

Brad Wannamaker 

When I say Jeremy is as valuable, I include his vet leadership, being a scoring threat as a combo guard as well as being able to come in and at minimum be a strong backup point guard. 

Obviously, his last few months in the NBA as a Raptor didn't go well. He was still recovering physically and honestly, was not there mentally when given a shot. After 1 year in China he looks like a different player and person now. 

Watching his recent workout clips you can see the chip on his shoulder that he had early on in his career has reappeared. His explosive first step is back as well as being able to go by guys even when they're trying to take away his right hand. His shot looks smooth with little hesistation. His floater and midrange pullup game looks nice. 

Being healthy physically, you can see his fearless mindset is back. He looks nothing like the player from 2 years ago. He actually looks better than ever! 

Now, he just needs someone to give him a chance, like the Warriors did in 2010 and the Knicks in 2011. I believe after Houston decides what direction it wants to go with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, we could see a few opportunities arise. 

My hope is JLin to the Rockets if Harden and Westbrook are gone. Head Coach Stephen Silas was an assistant with the Warriors and Hornets during Jeremy's time there and they've seemed to have built a strong relationship. However, in the end only God knows what will happen. Just as in 2011, I'm certain if Lin is given the opportunity, he will shine for the Lord!