On July 1, the NBA free agency period officially commenced.
The Knicks' unrestricted free agent, Tony Allen, signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Knicks fans expressed a mix of emotion and goodwill, with many fondly recalling his game-winning steal against Monta Ellis in the 2011 NBA Finals.
The team's official website prominently displayed a message wishing Allen well during his time in Memphis.
In addition to Allen's departure, the Knicks successfully re-signed Chris Paul. The agreement was a "3+1" contract valued at $87.5 million, with the final year as a player option. The structure had been recommended by Lin Yi.
Lin Yi's reasoning was strategic: the NBA was expected to finalize a significantly larger broadcasting rights deal in the summer of 2014, which would substantially increase the salary cap beginning in the 2015–16 season. In such an environment, shorter-term contracts offered greater flexibility and long-term financial advantage.
Paul's representatives similarly preferred to avoid a long-term commitment at the current rates, particularly since Paul had completed exactly three years with the Knicks and was not yet eligible for the full maximum salary under the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Upon finalizing the deal, Paul appeared somewhat contemplative. "Lin… do you truly believe the salary cap will rise that much?"
Observing Paul's uncertainty, Lin Yi responded with quiet confidence. "Of course, Chris. This year's Finals viewership once again set new records. The next television broadcasting contract will undoubtedly command a far higher value. There is no advantage to locking in a long-term deal under the present cap."
Paul nodded, reassured. Although rumors of a substantial salary cap increase had circulated since 2013, many observers remained cautious. Lin Yi's certainty provided clarity. While basketball remained the priority, financial considerations were undeniably important—no player was indifferent to maximizing earnings.
Lin Yi regarded Paul with mild amusement. "Chris, you are not doubting your own ability, are you?"
Paul's expression shifted, his face coloring slightly as his concern was laid bare. "That is not it. You are reading too much into things."
Lin Yi smiled. He understood that Paul harbored private fears about potential performance decline and the difficulty of securing another substantial contract in three years. It was an unexpectedly vulnerable side to the player widely regarded as the league's premier point guard.
Wake up, Chris. You are only twenty-eight years old. In three years, you will still be in your prime.
Lin Yi had deliberately structured the contract with a three-year core and a player option in the fourth. This approach would preserve salary cap flexibility
. Even if Lin Yi, Paul, and Klay Thompson were all on maximum contracts in 2015–16, the Knicks would retain sufficient space to pursue another high-caliber player.
The question remained: which prominent talent might be willing to join the Knicks?
Lin Yi had become increasingly aware of his growing influence within the league. His casual Twitter invitation to Steve Nash, for instance, had prompted the veteran point guard to travel directly to New York.
With such influence came responsibility; Lin Yi understood he could no longer speak lightly, as others might interpret his words with considerable weight.
. . .
On July 2, the Knicks officially signed Nash to a one-year veteran minimum contract. Following the announcement, Nash stated that, regardless of the team's results in the upcoming season, he intended to retire at its conclusion.
Lin Yi contacted Nash directly. Steve, after you retire, have you thought about coaching? Maybe joining the Knicks staff?"
Nash laughed softly on the other end.
"Lin, don't expect too much from me. You saw me last season. I came here to chase one last championship, not to pretend I still have endless energy."
The truth was that beyond Nash's on-court contributions, Lin Yi valued the fact that his basketball mind remained elite and, more importantly, that he already had a strong relationship with Steve Kerr.
Kerr had previously noted that Nash frequently provided valuable shooting instruction to players. While Mike D'Antoni remained a capable head coach, certain areas required reinforcement.
Lin Yi sought to strengthen the Knicks' coaching and strategic staff. After all, he could not realistically assume the role of head coach himself—though he already exerted considerable influence in that capacity.
Lin Yi intended to extend a formal offer to Kerr for the position of general manager once his contract with the Phoenix Suns expired.
Why pursue coaching with the Warriors when serving as the Knicks' general manager offered a far more rewarding path—one that involved consistent success with minimal strain?
...
On July 3, Rudy Gobert arrived in New York. Within Lin Yi's rigorous training camp, the young prospect appeared visibly nervous in the presence of the reigning MVP.
Everything around him felt unreal.
NBA players.
All Stars.
Champions.
The atmosphere alone was enough to suffocate rookies.
"Rudy, relax," Lin Yi said while patting Gobert's shoulder.
Gobert swallowed hard.
"I know I should relax… but this is different," he admitted honestly. "Do you know what it feels like to train with your idol?"
His heartbeat genuinely felt unstable.
Before training began, Gobert nervously asked another question.
"Lin… do I really not need Summer League?"
His concern originated from advice he had received from other international players, who emphasized that skipping Summer League often resulted in limited opportunities during the regular season.
Lin Yi shook his head.
"There is no need. How could the Summer League compare to the level of competition in this training camp?"
This was no exaggeration. The camp featured elite participants, including DeMarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, John Wall, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson.
Abandoning such high-level preparation for Summer League competition would have been unwise. Moreover, Gobert's playing time in the upcoming season would ultimately be determined by the Knicks' coaching staff, under Lin Yi's significant influence.
The early sessions quickly exposed Gobert's weaknesses.
Raw footwork.
Slow reactions to NBA physicality.
Poor timing against experienced post scorers.
On the first day alone, Cousins and Griffin repeatedly overwhelmed him inside, pumping him raw.
Yet something else also became obvious.
Gobert blocked several of Griffin's shots cleanly.
Every time it happened, Blake Griffin would glance upward toward the ceiling with visible frustration.
Some physical traits simply could not be taught.
Arm length mattered.
Something Gobert possessed naturally.
"If my arms were longer…" Griffin muttered once under his breath.
The frustrating part for Griffin was that Gobert barely understood NBA defense yet. The French rookie was still relying mostly on instinct.
Which meant his ceiling remained difficult to measure.
Still, Griffin survived the first few days through experience and strength.
. . .
Griffin's difficulties intensified on July 4 with the arrival of the 2013 first overall pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Another long-limbed prospect had joined the camp. Griffin soon found himself repeatedly pinned against the backboard.
Sometimes Lin Yi blocked him.
Sometimes Giannis.
Occasionally Gobert.
Life in the paint had become markedly more difficult.
Nearby, James Harden observed the scene with detached amusement.
"Why is Blake competing over this?" He said. "If people really want competition, they should compete over something important."
In Harden's assessment, his own situation with the Rockets offered limited contention prospects.
Playoff appearances might be achievable, but true championship contention seemed distant.
Nightlife remained a more reliable constant.
Despite such outward commentary, Harden was well aware that negotiations between the Rockets and his representatives were advancing in Los Angeles.
The countdown to his future had begun. At the same time, representatives from the Dallas Mavericks had also arrived quietly in the city.
. . .
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