Jeremy Lin News: Veteran Guard To Get A Fresh Start With New Team

It may be safe to now call Jeremy Lin a "journeyman." The 29-year-old guard joined the NBA in 2010 and in 2018-19 he will be playing on his seventh team after leaving the Brooklyn Nets this summer.

The Atlanta Hawks acquired Lin on July 13, sending the Nets a 2020 second-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as the rights to 2016 second-round pick Isaia Cordinier. Brooklyn also sent Atlanta a 2025 second-round pick and the right to swap 2023 second-round picks.

After news of his move to the Hawks, Lin posted on Twitter: "Find joy in your journey!!" He has not referenced the Hawks in any tweets.

Lin, who is owed $12.5 million in 2018-19, will be a free agent next summer, which means he could find his way onto another team after stints with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Nets. In July 2016, Lin signed a three-year deal worth $36 million.

Lin is coming off a forgettable 2017-18 having suffered a season-ending right knee injury in the Nets' season opener. There were questions entering the season as to Lin's role after the Nets acquired point guard D'Angelo Russell from the Lakers.

There should be more opportunities for playing time in Atlanta. Should Lin prove he has effectively overcome his knee injury, he could expect to see plenty of minutes under first-year head coach Lloyd Pierce.

With the new-look Hawks, Lin will likely battle for playing time with No. 5 overall pick Trae Young. Lin has often taken on a combo-guard role, which means he could also share playing time in the backcourt with the rookie.

It also helps for Lin that the Hawks don't have many experienced reserve guards, as the roster includes sparingly used guard Malcolm Delaney, 2017 second-round pick Tyler Dorsey and undrafted rookie Jaylen Adams. There has also been talk that the Hawks have shopped swingman Kent Bazemore this summer.

Following his knee injury, an obstacle for Lin could be his defense. While a member of the Lakers, Lin often saw his minutes go to defensive specialist Ronnie Price and that was when Lin was fully fit. How effectively Lin guards opponents may go a long way under a coach who prioritizes defense.

''If we weren't doing this press conference right now, I'd probably have these guys doing some defensive drills,'' Pierce told reporters in his first press conference. ''That's who I am.''

Lin's strong suit has always been his ability to create his own shot and knock down shots from distance. He has a career scoring average of 12 points on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line.