1. Lin was pretty good for stretches last season. Remember he's essentially a rookie getting his first playing time of any substantial amount.
2. The contract is so backloaded that it is reasonable for the next two years, in the third year you have the option of renogotiating for a long term deal if he is doing well, trading him and his expiring contract if he sucks.
3. The Knicks are replacing him with a 39 yr old alcoholic and an overweight guy who was run out of Portland.
Best case scenario, he's a better version of JJ Barea, who the Mavericks do not win the championship without 2 yrs ago. Worst case scenario, he's an energetic scorer off the bench.