Jeremy Lin (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

$25 million a huge investment for a player whose main value to the Knicks is his popularity with fans.

There is growing speculation that Jeremy Lin may not play for the New York Knicks next season. From Newsday:

Although the Knicks aren’t commenting, it’s appearing less likely that Lin will return after signing a three-year, $25.1-million offer sheet with
Houston on Friday that includes an escalator in year 3 that will pay him $14.9 million. The Knicks can match the offer or let Lin go to the
Rockets. The Knicks already have lined up Lin’s potential replacements, with Raymond Felton expected to officially join them Monday
and Jason Kidd signed.

Lin helped to save the Knicks last season and inspired sports commentators to make racist comments. As one of only a handful of Asian Americans to ever play basketball in the NBA, Lin’s accomplishments on the court have often been over-shadowed by discussions around his race.

At this point, the Knicks can’t really afford to hold onto Lin, even if he is a remarkably popular player. Lin could play a key point guard role in Houston, while New York has enough solid players (and guards in particular) that starting Lin won’t necessarily make sense. It’s a huge investment for a player whose main value to the Knicks is his popularity with fans.

What do you think? Is Lin worth $25 million to the Knicks, or should they let him walk?