The Knicks’ decision to be patient and not make Jeremy Lin a maximum offer at the start of free agency has forced him to withdraw from the U.S. select team that will scrimmage against the U.S. Olympic team from July 6-12 in Las Vegas.
Lin’s uncertain contract status has convinced his agents it’s better to sit out, not risk injury and perhaps be available for recruiting visits. Lin has talked to USA Basketball officials about going to Vegas for a few days to support the club, but not playing will hurt his development.
The Knicks’ summer-league team begins its first practice in Vegas July 11 — the day free agents can sign. It’s possible Lin can play a summer-league game or work out with their team if he signs by then. The Knicks’ team debuts July 14.
However, sources said the Knicks are willing to wait on Lin all of July and wait for the market to set his price tag.
Meanwhile, if the Raptors lose to the Knicks on Steve Nash, they will try to gain revenge in stealing Lin.
Toronto has been linked to Lin since May and spoke to Lin’s reps on Sunday. While the Knicks contend they will match any offer, the Raptors’ backup plan is intriguing because they are under the cap enough to present Lin with the backloaded offer The Post termed last week as “the poison pill.’’
The Raptors must offer Lin roughly $5 million the first two years, but then can jack the amount to $15 million in each of the last two years. In the third year of the deal, the Knicks would be deep in luxury-tax debt with harsher penalties than ever.
One Raptors official said of the Nash situation, “We’re on hold.’’
They reportedly offered him a three-year, $36 million deal but a source close to the situation said the report was “false.’’
Nash still hoped to meet with Dallas and Phoenix. The Knicks are working on a sign-and-trade with Phoenix that includes Lin’s two best friends on the club, Jerome Jordan and Landry Fields.
Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald is essentially playing a game of chicken with Lin. The Post reported Saturday he will not offer Lin the maximum four-year, $24 million early-Bird deal.
It could be risky if Lin gets a club to do the backloaded offer sheet. The Knicks probably would match, but it will give owner James Dolan indigestion.
That the Raptors could nail Nash is bad news for Lin, who needs suitors. Dallas reportedly inquired, too. Owner Mark Cuban is someone with vision beyond basketball and could be fantasizing about Lin’s global reach.
When The Post reported on May 21 the backloaded scenario, agent Roger Montgomery admitted he thought negotiations could get complicated.
“I don’t expect that,’’ he said of an easy negotiation. “We’re not anticipating that’s going to happen. We don’t have assurances of anything.’’
Lin has since hired Washington-based attorney Jim Tanner to help Montgomery. Lin has remained at his Palo Alto, Calif., home and it’s unclear if he’ll visit Toronto.
The undrafted Lin has his critics with such a short body of NBA work, getting starter’s minutes for a 26-game stretch. He hasn’t played since left-knee surgery in March. Said one NBA scout: “The Knicks will wind up overpaying him. He’s just not that good. I don’t know if he’s even better than Raymond Felton. When playoff time comes and the focus is on him, we’ll see. It could be like that game versus Miami.’’