The Los Angeles Lakers announced Sunday that they acquired point guard Jeremy Lin, a future first round draft pick and a second round draft pick in 2015 from the Houston Rockets for the rights to power forward/center Sergei Lishchuk.
Lin, 25, averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds while shooting career-bests 44.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range in 71 games with the Rockets last season.
In four NBA seasons, Lin has averaged 11.9 points, 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 217 career games (140 starts) with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Rockets.
“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,” general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “In addition to what he’ll bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community.”
The deal frees up cap space for the Rockets and unloads his salary of $14.89 million. However, Lin’s contract will only count $8.3 million on the Lakers’ cap based on the deal’s structure, according to Yahoo Sports. He is only under contract for one more season.
Lishchuk returns to the Rockets. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2004 draft and traded to the Rockets in February 2008 before ending up with the Lakers as part of a three-way trade with the New Jersey Nets in December 2010. He played for Valencia of the Spanish ACB League last season and appeared in the Eurocup.