The Knicks reportedly are not planning to match the contract offer Jeremy Lin has from the Rockets, and that may be wise for more than financial reasons. If the comments from J.R. Smith are any indication, Lin’s contract could be a troubling issue for Knicks players.
“Without a doubt,” Smith told SI’s Sam Amick when asked if Lin’s contract would be a challenge for teammates. “I think some guys take it personal, because they’ve been doing it longer and haven’t received any reward for it yet. I think it’s a tough subject to touch on for a lot of guys.”
Carmelo Anthony may have indicated a similar feeling when he termed Lin’s contract “ridiculous” over the weekend, although we can’t be sure if he was talking about the entire 3-year $25.1 deal, or the $15 million “poison pill” salary Lin will earn in the third year.
Amick also reports that Raymond Felton agreed to sign-and-trade from the Blazers to the Knicks with the understanding that New York was not going to match Houston’s offer for Lin.
Whether or not Lin is worth the contract depends on how he plays over the next few years. I certainly think he can prove he’s worth it. But these comments indicate jealousy over money is a factor in locker rooms, and it probably is an indication that some players were jealous of all the attention Lin got last season.
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