Lakers win big with Jeremy Lin Trade and here are the reasons

I have been hearing alot of mixed opinions. Some are extremely excited about Lin being a Laker. Others are really negative, complaining how Lakers didn't get Kobe a superstar like Melo and LeBron...but a Jeremy Lin.  Make no mistake, Lin is very under-rate & he is no scrub. Just listen to Chris McGee, Dave McMenamin and Mike Trudell discuss what can jlin bring to Lakers. Lakers actually win pretty big with this trade and here are the reasons:

1. Under-rated: Lin is extremely under-valued right now

During Linsanity phenomenon, Lin thrived as the primary facilitator playing under D'antoni's, point guard-centered, high octane offense. Having Tyson Chandler, one of the better pick and roll finishers in the league, as his P&R partner definitely helped too. After breaking all kinds of records during Linsanity, the entire planet was so hyped up about Jeremy Lin, it set a bar so high even Lin felt the anxious to live up to that Linsanity expectation. (He talked about it here in this video: Jeremy Lin Testimony In Taiwan 2014)

Under McHale's Harden/Howard-centered sticky ball free-flowing offense last 2 seasons, Lin was unable to replicate his Linsanity numbers. Without the primary ball handling role, proper usage, consistent minutes, he was under-utilized, and eventually was demoted to bench as a backup. To make matters worse, Lin and D12 have uncanny ability to run pick and roll, but D12 apparently prefers his "manly" post up plays. Further, since Harden likes handling the ball more than a typical SG, Lin was mostly used as a spot up shooter.

However, Lin is able to pull up some impressive numbers that Laker fans will be excited about.

• Lin shot the same 36% from 3pt as "elite shooter" James Harden 
• Lin was Top 20 in spot up shooting
• Lin had a triple-double off the bench - one of a few players in history that did this in under 30 minutes.
• Lin remains an elite penetrator in this league, being top 15 in drives per game despite only playing 29 minutes a game. He also had the 6th highest TS% of all PG's off of drives.
• Lin is still measured as one of the top ball-handlers in the P&R
• Lin was the most efficient and clutch scorer on the Rockets this season from 2FG and 3FG. He also lead the team in 2FG clutch scoring last season.

Lin has proven to be able to really run the offense at a high level when he was given the chance to in Houston. Whenever Harden was out due to injury during regular season Lin thrived. 

He averaged 22 & 7 when Harden didn't play ... these are super star numbers!

• 38 & 7 vs. Spurs without Harden
• 31 vs. Raptors also without Harden
• 34 & 12 vs. Sixers (Lin shot 9 three pointers in this game ties the franchise record for most threes made in a game set by Robert Horry in 1996)
• Lin had 29 & 7 vs. OKC. The only game current Rockets have won against them with Westbrook in the lineup
• In one of the playoff games when Beverley had fever & Harden was cold ...Lin had another rare chances to run the offense, and he came up huge setting good pace for the team, and making D12 scream "Linsanity" to encourage Lin. 

In fact, he has been so miss-used for his skill sets - Lin has once again - the underdog.

2. Cost nothing: The Lakers got a starting point guard + picks without giving up picks or players.

3. Good facilitator: Lakers are in dire need of a point guard (Nash Ageing) & Lin is a pretty good one. Just take a look at Lin's Assist Highlights from 2013-2014 season. Lin is great at pushing the pace, and is very unselfish at sharing the ball. He has a track record of making his teammates looking great and keeping them happy with touches. And the results is everyone is motivated.

4. Great offensively: Lin has great first step acceleration, able to go both right and left, penetrates the paint breaking down opponent defenses, and shoots 3 pointers at a decent 36%.  Take at look at Lin's Offense Highlights 2013/2014  And Kobe knows Lin's offensive strength with first hand experience

Per @ESPNStatsInfo:

"Over the last 4 seasons @JLin7 has twice as many 20 point-10 assist games (6) than all of the Lakers point guards combined (3).”

"Jeremy Lin going to the Lakers. He shot 57.9% off drives last season, 2nd only to LeBron James who shot 63.8%"

5. Plays defense: Lin puts 100% effort on defense as well. Lin has always been a great help defender, but last season is when he made huge strides on his defense competing with defensive pest Patrick Beverley for the starting Point Guard job: Check his Defensive Highlights. Still doubt Lin's defense? see how Lin defended against Kobe.

Despite being perceived as a poor defender, advanced stats (e.g. DefRtg, Defensive PPP, Opponent FG%) all show Lin being on par or better than the "All NBA 2nd team" Beverley who was said to replace Lin as starter due to his "better" defense.

6. Great locker room guy: he is that same guy both on & off the court as well

7. Global appeal: The diverse fans base in California will fill the seats, and Lin's fans around world will no doubt purchase tons of merchandises, and get the salary above the 8m cap paid for by itself

8. Expiring 1 year contract: It gives Lakers flexibility in 2015 if it doesn't work out, so this trade is very low risk for Lakers.

9. Higher ceiling: Lin has improved all aspect of his game since Linsanity showing potential for an even higher ceiling: (note: 2012-2013 Lin was coming out of an injury and so his stats didn't show significant improvements across the board) 

10. Hard work & Dedication: Kobe doesn't like lazy players. So it's safe to say Kobe will like & embrace Jeremy Lin, since Lin is a very hard worker who has already ironed out few or his most criticized weaknesses (driving left, 3ptr, TO, and defense)

11. Lakers approve: 

Kobe: It isn't easy to earn Kobe's acceptance, but Kobe has already welcomed Lin with text message and followed Lin on twitter. That shouldn't count for nothing. On top of the Kobe also has said that "The biggest thing to me is how everybody missed it....you can’t play that well and just come out of nowhere.

Nash has called himself  "the Canadian Jeremy Lin" Nash Lin is could be a good fit whoever needs him.

Magic also has called Lin "the real deal" and said Lin plays like Nash and Stockton.

Byron Scott is a Jeremy Lin fan as well

Kupchak has attempted to acquire Lin multiple times since 2010

12. Humble & Conservative: Lin is a devoted Christian who is not known to give teams Public Relations disasters by getting himself involved in scandals or violence.

13. Lin or nothing at all: People need to stop complaining Lakers not getting super stars. Big name free agents are getting massive offers from top teams this off-season. This means even if Lakers were to go after big name free agents like Thomas, or Bledshoe they were going to get matched anyway or they might not even want to sign with the Lakers...

Unfortunately, Lakers aren't exactly one of the top seeds in the competitive West. Probably 7~8th seed at best. Even Chicago with DRose & Noah couldn't lure Melo / LeBron / Love. So it's smart that Lakers made less risky / non-team-gutting moves and keep 2015 flexible.
Source for stats