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5 Teams That Could Target Jeremy Lin Before NBA Trade Deadline

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By @b2brennan

5 Teams That Could Target Jeremy Lin Before NBA Trade Deadline

February 4, 2015; Chris Nicoll; Jeremy Lin
Chris Nicoll - USA Today Sports

Jeremy Lin is far from "Linsanity," but he's still an intriguing player to talk about. He shows flashes of great play but overall has been disappointing since his New York Knicks days. It will be tough for the Lakers to deal Lin due to the over $ 8 million cap hit any taker will get with him, but here are the top five teams that could target him before the trade deadline.

5. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors
Ezra Shaw - Getty Images

5. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors
Ezra Shaw - Getty Images

There's no real reasoning behind my thought of the Kings being a willing suitor for Jeremy Lin, but can't you just see the Kings making another horrible signing and taking two steps back like they always do? They haven't figured out the point guard role in a few years, so I could see them rolling the dice with Lin and losing miserably.

4. Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Washington Wizards
Ned Dishman - Getty Images

4. Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Washington Wizards
Ned Dishman - Getty Images

The Heat are the first of my three "play for a contract" suitors for Lin. The Heat could use some more backcourt scoring with Wade always being unhealthy and the duo of Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole being exactly what you think. So an interesting landing spot for Lin could be South Beach, where he would have to rely on his talents to stay after the season.

3. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons
Getty Images

3. Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons
Getty Images

The Pistons just lost Brandon Jennings for the regular season and still seem to want to make a playoff push. They aren't a team looking to take on the cap hit of Lin, but I wouldn't be too surprised if they make a play at him for the rest of the season as a desperate chance to stay in the hunt.

2. Charlotte Hornets

Orlando Magic v Charlotte Hornets
Brock Williams-Smith - Getty Images

2. Charlotte Hornets

Orlando Magic v Charlotte Hornets
Brock Williams-Smith - Getty Images

The Hornets are just like the Pistons right now -- they've been playing very well but lost their starting point guard to injury. The rumors about Lance Stephenson have died down a bit, but I could see not only the Lakers taking a chance on Stephenson, but the Hornets willing to pay to try and get a Kemba Walker replacement for the time being.

1. Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams
Nathaniel S Butler - Getty Images

1. Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams
Nathaniel S Butler - Getty Images

The Nets are a team that could target anybody before the deadline, even Lin. Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson all have been rumored to be traded, so I wouldn't be too shocked if Brooklyn got rid of one to the Lakers and took Lin back to balance the salary scale. It's an interesting time in the Nets organization, and like Kevin Garnett said, anything is possible!

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