Jeremy Lin has officially declined his player option with the Charlotte Hornets and will again enter free agency this summer.

Lin signed a two-year, $4.3 million deal with the Hornets last summer, but had a player option on the second year of the deal rumored to be good for $2.2 million.

After a season in which he averaged 12 points, three rebounds and three assists for a Hornets' team that posted a franchise record 48 wins, that price seems like a bargain basement discount now, particularly given the league-wide bump in salary cap space each team is expected to benefit from this offseason.

Lin Attracting Wide Interest

Across the league, Lin is valued as a dependable backup point guard, who comes with excellent vision and improving play-making skills. Lin is also viewed as a more than capable finisher around the basket and a decent marksman (34 percent on threes).

Besides the Hornets, teams rumored to have varying levels of interest in acquiring the six-year veteran include the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

In Houston, Lin would be reunited with new coach Mike D'Antoni, the man under whom he embarked on his brief but memorable stretch of "Linsanity."

The two previously teamed up for a magical 2012 run on Broadway with the Knicks, where Lin averaged 18 points, eight assists and two rebounds over a 25 game stretch.

In the here and now, a backcourt of Lin and All-Star guard James Harden is widely thought to be a natural for D'Antoni's "seven seconds" or less offense.

Lin Talks Stability

Though he has stressed money will not be the sole factor in selecting his next team and stability is at the top of his wish list, Lin is reported to be seeking a long-term deal in excess of $50 million.

The free agency period officially kicks off on July 1.

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