Jeremy Lin says he would ‘love’ to return to Charlotte Hornets next season as decision time beckons

Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin, who can opt out of next season on his contract, says he’d very much like to re-sign with the franchise this summer.

“I would love to,” Lin said on Monday. “I don’t like moving every year, I don’t like packing and unpacking boxes. So we’ll see. But I’m definitely interested in coming back.”

Lin played for the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers before signing with the Hornets in July. He played both point guard and shooting guard for the Hornets and found this season the most enjoyable of his career.

“This is the most fun I’ve had in my six years in the NBA,” Lin said. “Being around a great group of guys and a coaching staff that really cares. I’ve learned so much about the game of basketball, particularly at the defensive end.”

Lin indicated he plans to opt out of his contract, which would pay him about US$2.2 million next season. Ideally he’d sign a longer-term deal with the Hornets, and Lin said money won’t be the overarching factor in where he signs.

“My biggest thing is I want to have fun and be happy,” he said. “I’ve been paid on the lower end and had a blast, and I’ve been paid on the higher end and not enjoyed it at all.

“Honestly, money has never been the most important thing. Money is important because it shows how a team values you. But beyond that I don’t care all that much about money. Me coming here (for slightly more than US$2 million a season) showed that.”

Lin said the chemistry the Hornets developed this season was special and rarer than fans might realise.