NBA: Lin traded by Houston Rockets to Los Angeles Lakers
Last Updated: 13/07/14 8:27pm
Jeremy Lin, the point guard whose 2012 heroics for the New York Knicks sparked a brief "Linsanity" phenomenon, has been traded by Houston to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lin became the first Chinese-American to play in the NBA, with a grandmother living in China and his parents from Taiwan, and his star turn in New York led him to sign a three-year deal with Houston for $25m in 2012.
The Rockets also sent the Lakers a future first-round pick in the NBA Draft and a second-round selection next year in exchange for the rights to Ukraine's Sergei Lishchuk, a move that will free salary space for Houston to help complete a free agent deal for Trevor Ariza.
Lin, 25, averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds a game for the Rockets last season. In 217 games over four NBA campaigns, Lin has averaged 11.9 points, 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds a game.
"This trade allows us to acquire a solid player who will make us a better team, as well as draft picks to improve our team in the future, while at the same time allowing us to maintain financial flexibility," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said.
"In addition to what he will bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community."
Lishchuk, a 32-year-old forward, played for Valencia of the Spanish league last season.
Meanwhile, Paul Pierce, a 10-time NBA All-Star forward, has announced that he will join the Washington Wizards for next season.
Pierce, who will turn 37 in October before the 2014-2015 campaign begins, helped the Boston Celtics win an NBA title before being traded to Brooklyn ahead of last season, when he averaged a career-low 13.5 points.
