The Brooklyn Nets are mired in a nightmare to start their 2017-18 season after announcing that their starting point guard Jeremy Lin is out for the season, having sustained a ruptured patella tendon during Wednesday's season-opener against the Indiana Pacers.
To replace him, the team could look at soon-to-be-free-agent point guard Jameer Nelson, who was waived by the Denver Nuggets ahead of their season-opener against the Utah Jazz, scheduled to clear waivers on Friday.
The 13-year veteran has proved to be a reliable floor general and an incredible mentor for young players, a talent the team is in dire need for.
Lin was the second player to suffer a season-ending injury during the first game of the season, joining Boston Celtics star forward Gordon Hayward at the infirmary.
Moving forward, head coach Kenny Atkinson might look to start or give even more minutes at the shooting guard position to offseason addition Allen Crabbe and second-year combo guard Caris LeVert.
Brooklyn currently has $3.4 million in cap space available, but would need to create a roster spot in order to put it to use, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. The Nets won't receive any roster relief just yet but have until Jan. 15 to apply for the Disabled Player Exception for Lin.
This exception, if approved, would be for $6 million.
The Nets will now likely slide D'Angelo Russell to his previous position at point guard, leaving Isaiah Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie as backups at the position.
Brooklyn's backcourt now averages 24 years of age and could be in dire need of leadership and while the 29-year-old Lin is expected to be around the team and help lead from the sidelines, the team will need someone here and now, willing to take them under his wing and lead them through a grueling 82-game season.
Nelson could very well be within Sean Marks' crosshairs as the team deals with the aftermath of Lin's unfortunate injury.
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