Report: Lin opts out, will become free agent

Jeremy Lin has declined his player option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Lin faced a Wednesday deadline to pick up the $2.2-million option with the Charlotte Hornets. The move was expected given the rising salary cap this summer. The point guard, who turns 28 in August, signed a two-year contract with the option last summer and became a key piece of the 48-34 Hornets.

Lin averaged 11.7 points and three assists in 78 games, 13 of them starts.