Free-agent guard Jeremy Lin announces he will join Charlotte Hornets

Jeremy Lin announced just hours before NBA players can sign contracts that he will join the Charlotte Hornets.

A source confirmed to ESPN.com that the contract is for Charlotte’s biannual exception — two years and $4.3 million.

Lin posted the Hornets logo on his Instagram account to announce the agreement:

The Dallas Mavericks had been optimistic they would be able to sign Lin, attempting to create a salary slot for him by shopping point guard Raymond Felton, sources said. Lin made his commitment to the Hornets while the Mavs were in the midst of dealing with prized center DeAndre Jordan’s decision to renege on his verbal commitment to Dallas and return to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Lin is an unrestricted free agent after making nearly $15 million last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He bounced in and out of coach Byron Scott’s starting lineup and endured criticism from Scott, as well as Lakers icon Kobe Bryant.

Lin’s scoring on steady decline

Since breaking out with the Knicks in 2011-12, Jeremy Lin’s scoring average has declined every season. Including his rookie year with the Warriors, the Hornets will be Lin’s fifth team in six years.

SEASON TEAM PPG

2014-15 Lakers 11.2

2013-14 Rockets 12.5

2012-13 Rockets 13.4

2011-12 Knicks 14.6

Lin acknowledges he got off to a rough start but eventually grew more comfortable in Scott’s system.

In 74 games, including 30 starts, Lin averaged 11.2 points, his lowest total since his rookie season, on 42 percent shooting from the field, also his lowest since his rookie season. He started the team’s first 19 games before being moved to the bench.

“The one thing about him: The kid takes criticism,” Scott said. “You can jump on him about things, and he takes it with a grain of salt and he tries to get better. That’s the one thing I do love about him. He doesn’t pout about it. He doesn’t cry. He just goes out there and tries to implement the things that you give him and become a better basketball player.”

The Lakers were the fourth NBA team in five seasons for Lin, who gained international fame during a dynamic 35-game stint with the New York Knicks in 2012.

The former Harvard standout began his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors in 2010-11, appearing in 29 games, before moving on the Knicks. He joined the Houston Rockets via restricted free agency in 2012-13 before getting traded to the Lakers following the 2013-14 season.

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