 On July 13 , 2014 , Lin was traded , along with a 2015 first and second round pick , to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for the rights to Sergei Lishouk . The Rockets made the move to clear cap space in their attempt to sign free agent Chris Bosh . The Lakers owed Lin $ 15 million for 2014 – 15 , the final year of his contract , but only $ 8 @.@ 3 million counted against their salary cap . His role was undefined with the Lakers , who were just 21 – 61 in his only season with the team . Lin moved into the starting lineup late in the preseason after an injury to Ronnie Price , and he started the first 20 games of the season . However , he struggled in coach Byron Scott 's offense , which was based on the methodical player and ball movement of the Princeton offense , while Lin was most comfortable dominating the ball while attacking off the pick @-@ and @-@ roll as he did in New York and Houston . 
