Because of his status as a restricted free agent, Knicks guard Jeremy Lin has withdrawn from the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 6-11 against the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during training camp in Las Vegas.
Lin informed USA Basketball Monday afternoon that because of his current contract status he was withdrawing. Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma was forced to withdraw after undergoing a non-surgical process for Plantar Fasciitis.
“Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to participate in the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team this summer,” said Lin. “It was such an incredible honor to be selected, but I have withdrawn my name from the team because of my status as a free agent. I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at some point in the future.”
The Knicks control the rights to Lin and can match any offer for him, although ESPN.com recently reported that other teams, potentially the Toronto Raptors for one, could lure Lin with a poison pill contract that escalates to $10 or $15 million annually in his third and fourth seasons.
The Knicks met with Steve Nash on Sunday and are hoping to lure him to be their starting point guard, potentially in a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns.
Members of the 2012 USA Basketball Select Team are: DeJuan Blair (San Antonio Spurs / Pittsburgh); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings / Kentucky); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors / USC); Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz / Georgia Tech); Paul George (Indiana Pacers / Fresno State); Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls / USC); Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz / Butler); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers / Duke); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs / San Diego State); Lance Thomas (New Orleans Hornets); Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors / Washington State); and John Wall (Washington Wizards / Kentucky).
