ESPN New York conducted a TV interview with ESPN NBA Analyst, Stephen A. Smith, who gave further details on Jeremy Lin's future with the Knicks. These are the words he said while responding questions to the host.
"Jeremy Lin being worth $14 million, $15 million dollars in the third year. The question is whether he would be worth an excess of 30 million dollars because that is how much it would cost the Knicks to have him in the third year. They are not buying it, I spoke to numerous sources over the last couple of hours. It's done. They are not matching the offer and they are going to let him to go Houston. They will go with Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton as their point guards for the upcoming season."
Stephen Smith who had previously said that Lin would end up in New York, told viewers that the Knicks' signing of Felton had changed the tide's course.
According to Smith, the New York Knicks know that Lin is a smart player but are not ready to invest in someone whose level of commitment is still in question.
Smith said that the "key ingredient" that triggered such decision came with some people at the Knicks organization feeling a lack of appreciation from Lin after what all the team had basically done for him.
"They gave this kid an opportunity, he became a star ... but he was not willing to compete against the Miami Heat in the Playoffs, and not willing basically to push himself because he didn't want to risk or jeopardize the dollars that were coming down the pipe ... but those were the kind of things the organizations wants to see from a player they are going to invest millions of dollars. Jeremy Lin wasn't willing to show that."
Watch the ESPN - Smith interview video here.
Despite the comments from Smith, Jeremy Lin has already signed the offer sheet with Houston and now the Knicks have until the end of Tuesday to respond.
The New York Knicks' drive of winning six of seven games with Lin as point-guard last season caused a Jeremy Lin fever called "Linsanity".
If Lin is traded to Houston, many Knicks fans will probably find themselves surprised since the undrafted Harvardian arguably was the first to make the Knicks a relevant team since the Latrell Sprewell, Alan Houston era back in 1999.
Jason Kidd Arrested on DUI
On another note, the newest star-acquisition of the New York Knicks has gone somewhat awry after the Associated Press reported that Jason Kidd was arrested on a drunken-drive charge.
The report states that Kidd crashed his SUV into a telephone poll on Sunday and was treated for minor injuries.
The Knicks haven't yet made any official response to the incident and Kidd can face up to one year in jail.
The Knicks signed Kidd to a three year, $9.5 million deal and he was introduced to the organization on Thursday.