Raptors will reportedly drive up the price of Jeremy Lin on Knicks

Over the course of a year, Jeremy Lin has somehow gone from a player who was destined to play overseas to a highly sought-after restricted free agent. Such is life in the world of professional sports. With the Knicks having control over whether or not Lin leaves for another team, the general consensus is that they will match any offer Lin receives in order to retain him. One of those offers is expected to come from the Raptors.

According to the NY Daily News, Toronto is high on Lin and could make him an offer that would annoy the Knicks. In addition to sparking the team on the court, Lin became a marketing machine for New York when he burst onto the scene earlier this season. There are a number of reasons they cannot let him leave, but a team like the Raptors could make things interesting if they become desperate enough.

Both the Knicks and Raptors are also expected to make a run at Steve Nash, but Nash is at the very end of his career and will only sign with a team who is a definite championship contender. Neither is a likely suitor, but the Knicks probably have an edge on the Raptors. If Toronto misses out on Nash, they could make life even more difficult for New York and force them to really overpay for Lin’s services.

H/T Eye on Basketball
Photo credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE