Jeremy Lin seeks NBA return

Scott Rafferty

Jeremy Lin seeks NBA return image

Jeremy Lin isn't done with the NBA.

In an emotional Instagram post, Lin announced that he is not returning to the CBA's Beijing Ducks next season. Instead, he'll be "waiting for free agency and preparing myself for the NBA."

"I couldn't sleep right for 3 weeks with this decision weighing over me," Lin wrote. "I was brought to tears trying to verbalize the struggle to my family. I analyzed facts, but the reality is that faith ultimately comes down to taking a step towards what you can't see yet."

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This is gonna be my realest caption ever lol We love to tell kids to dream big but we don’t often talk about the fears they might face. Truth is, fear is a BEAST. It snuck up on me. Through all my career failures, setbacks and injuries. Through the pain of being traded, cut and having no offers. Through the depths of global embarassment, unmet expectations and crushed dreams. Through it all, I found myself a year ago battered - carrying so much emotional baggage. I signed in the CBA, it took a whole season, but God really came through for me. He taught me how to play to win again vs playing to not lose. To know the shots going in vs hoping its going in. To dream big again vs thinking everythings a setup for disappointment. To be a killer on the court with the talent He gave me 100% for His glory. This isn't about chasing the shadow of Linsanity. Or proving anyone right or wrong. Or about money, fame, reputation or power. It's about God's glory and kingdom. It's about goin right at all my past traumas and fears, instead of being forever crippled by them. It's ultimately about when I see God face-to-face that I could say through HIS strength, I lived with big big faith. I couldn't sleep right for 3 weeks with this decision weighing over me. I was brought to tears trying to verbalize the struggle to my family. I analyzed facts, but the reality is that faith ultimately comes down to taking a step towards what you can't see yet. Despite being beyond grateful with sooo much that the CBA, China, and all my Asia fans gave me this past season, today I decided to not return to the Beijing Ducks next season. Instead I will be waiting for free agency and preparing myself for the NBA — and continuing my greatest dream. And maybe the result is a footnote, and this decision today was the true test. New chapter, new mindset, new me. Work smarter, aim higher, reach further. And smile along the way! 2 Timothy 1:7 #FaithOverFear

A post shared by Jeremy Lin 林書豪 (@jlin7) on

According to Basketball Reference, Lin led the Ducks in scoring this season with 22.3 points per game. He also dished out a team-high 5.6 assists to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

Lin last played in the NBA in 2018-19, splitting the season with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors. He became an unrestricted free agent at the season's end but didn't receive much interest, eventually leading him to the CBA.

In an interview, Lin said that he felt as though the NBA had given up on him "in some ways" and that he had reached a new level of "rock bottom."

In nine seasons in the NBA, Lin has career averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. He won a championship with the Raptors in 2019.

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Scott Rafferty

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Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.