‘Linsanity’ in the Big Apple: Jeremy Lin returning to New York after agreeing Brooklyn Nets deal

Jeremy Lin is heading back to New York.

As NBA free agency began on Friday, Lin, the NBA’s first US player of Chinese heritage, agreed to a three-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets worth a reported US$36 million with a fourth-year player option. That’s after the point guard declined a US$2.2 million offer to return to Charlotte for next season.

“The journey continues... thankful for the next chapter!!” tweeted Lin with an image of himself in a Brooklyn uniform in front of the team logo. “Thank you hornets for the opportunity last year... I’ll miss you BuzzCity.”

Lin, 27, was a seldom-used reserve with the Knicks in 2012 until injuries to several starters gave him a chance to play. He sparked New York to seven wins in a row, including late game-winning shots and pinpoint passing to set up teammates in an epic 7-0 run known as “Linsanity”.

Lin spent the next two seasons with Houston and another campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining Charlotte last year.

Among the top players making rich deals in the first hours of free agency were Dwight Howard with Atlanta, Joakim Noah with the New York Knicks and DeMar DeRozan with Toronto.