The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly told guard Jeremy Lin that he'll have a bigger role after waiving point guard Kendall Marshall last week.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, Lin had a short meeting with the Lakers’ management, who told him he'll have more playing time than when he was in Houston. Last season, he averaged 29 minutes per game and stared 33 games for the Rockets.
“Kobe wants to win and I want to win. I think Kobe wants his teammates to train hard and I will train hard. I hope he can respect me and we can collaborate well together,” Lin told reporters in Taiwan this week, reported AFP.
“I wish my role could become bigger and more important, and I also wish I could get more playing time next year,” Lin was also quoted as saying, referring to his time with the Rockets.
When Lin scored 38 points on the Lakers when he played for the New York Knicks, Kobe Bryant praised his rise to stardom. Bryant described it as “a great story. It’s a testament to perseverance and hard work. A good example for kids everywhere.”
The comments come as other reports claimed the Lakers were pursuing G Eric Bledsoe--who is currently in negotiations with the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers were looking at Bledsoe before the team signed F Carlos Boozer.
The Lakers also signed Nick Young to a multi-year deal. It was announced Monday by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
“When Nick became a free agent in June, I expressed hope that we would be able to bring him back on a contract that was in the best interest of both the Lakers and himself, and I am proud to say we were able to do so,” said Kupchak, according to NBA.com. “Nick was a bright spot for us last season, and we are happy to retain such a skilled player who is committed to being a part of what we are building as a franchise.”
Young originally signed with the Lakers in 2013 and posted a career high 17.9 points per game during the 2013-2014 season.
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