Jeremy Lin ended his professional basketball career after winning the championship, MVP, and Finals MVP with the Taipei Kings of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League in 2025. According to Lin in an interview on Dwight Howard’s “Above The Rim with DH12” podcast, his struggle to return to the NBA began after a 2017 ruptured patellar tendon injury sustained while playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
The Impact of the 2017 Patellar Tendon Injury on NBA Marketability
A ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during the 2017 opening night for the Brooklyn Nets fundamentally altered how NBA teams viewed Jeremy Lin. While Lin won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, he noted that the perception of his health and capability shifted rapidly. Lin told the “Above The Rim with DH12” podcast that he reached a point where he was begging teams for non-guaranteed training camp invites, but received no offers.
The injury created a gap in consistent play. After the Brooklyn incident, Lin appeared in only 51 games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 and 23 games for the Raptors during their 2019 championship run. According to Lin, the league’s perception changed so quickly that he could not even get “in the building” to prove his recovery.
Did you know? Jeremy Lin’s 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors came during a season where he was still managing the lingering effects of his 2017 knee injury.
Financial Sacrifice and the G-League Attempt
To prove his fitness to NBA scouts, Lin walked away from $10 million in salary and endorsement deals in Taiwan. He accepted a $30,000 salary to play for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G-League. Despite the massive pay cut, the move did not result in an NBA call-up.
Lin’s performance in the G-League was statistically strong. He averaged 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. According to Lin, he ranked in the top 10 for both points and assists while playing for the second-best team in the league. Despite these numbers, he remained the only player among the top 10 leaders who did not receive a 10-day NBA contract.
Career Transition to Asian Professional Leagues
Following the lack of interest from NBA teams, Lin returned to Asia, where his reputation remained high. He previously played for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Lin eventually transitioned to the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. His career culminated in 2025 with the Taipei Kings, where he secured three major honors: the league championship, the MVP award, and the Finals MVP award. This success in Taiwan provided the “high note” Lin sought after his NBA opportunities vanished.
Comparison: NBA vs. International Performance
| Metric | G-League (Santa Cruz) | CBA (Beijing Ducks) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 18.9 | 22.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 6.4 | 5.6 |
| Outcome | No 10-day contract | High regard/Star status |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jeremy Lin leave the NBA?
According to Lin, the combination of a 2017 patellar tendon injury and a shift in how NBA teams perceived his health made it impossible for him to secure a roster spot or even a training camp invite, despite his performance in the G-League and CBA.
What did Jeremy Lin achieve in Taiwan?
In 2025, playing for the Taipei Kings, Lin won the league championship, the MVP award, and the Finals MVP award.
How much money did Lin give up to play in the G-League?
Lin stated he left behind $10 million in salary and endorsements in Taiwan to earn a $30,000 salary with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
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