By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Though he sparked an unprecedented run of brilliance in February that helped save a struggling team, the "Linsanity" phenomenon came to an end in New York after the Knicks let Jeremy Lin sign with the Houston Rockets.

The Knicks announced their decision, confirming reports it would not match Lin's offer.

Houston inked Lin, 23, to a revised three-year, $25 million deal which the Knicks did not match, according to reports.

According to initial reports, the Rockets' offer to Lin, who became a restricted free agent at the end of the season, was for four years and $28.8 million, with the third and fourth years for $9.3 million each.

The Knicks have indicated they would match Houston's offer and that Lin would be the starting point guard, but the higher salary in the final year of the offer, known as a "poison pill" was just too much to swallow for New York.

The $14.9 million third-year salary was the final nail in the Knicks' decision to cut ties with Lin. Including luxury tax, it would cost the Knicks in 2014-15 an estimated $43 million, in the event they retained Lin.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have chosen the more affordable services of Raymond Felton over Lin.

The Knicks are hoping Felton will regain his brilliant form from 2010-11 while playing 54 games for New York. Felton averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 assists in 38 minutes per game with the Knicks before he was dealt to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony trade.

The 28-year-old Felton, acquired in a sign-and trade announced Monday, is coming off a tough year in Portland. Felton averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 assists per game and hit just 40 percent of his shots while with the Trail Blazers.

Felton is expected to start at point guard while 39-year-old veteran Jason Kidd will serve as backup for the Knicks.

It will mark the second tour of Houston for Lin, who was claimed off waivers by the Rockets prior to the work stoppage-shortened 2011 season. He was waived to clear payroll space the day prior to the start of the regular season before joining the Knicks three days later.

Lin, who made $788,000 last season, averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games for the Knicks last season, including 25 starts.

In April, Lin underwent left knee surgery to address a small meniscus tear. It caused him miss the last month of the regular season and the Knicks' only playoff series.

Lin went undrafted out of Harvard. He then played 29 games for Golden State during the 2010-11 season, averaging just 2.6 points.

Jeremy Lin became a member of the Houston Rockets when the Knicks refused to match the Rockets offer. Houston fans couldn't be happier.

 

 

Jeremy Lin a Rocket Again; Knicks Don't Match Offer