NBA: MSG stock down since Lin left Knicks

New York Knicks officials and the casual fan may have had trouble gauging Jeremy Lin's value to the Knicks, but the stock market makes it pretty clear Lin was quite an asset.

Since the Knicks declined to match the Rockets offer sheet, letting Lin go to Houston, Madison Square Garden stock has dropped $93 million, according to CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell.

The rise and fall of MSG's stock has closely followed the rise and fall of Linsanity.

When Lin made his first start for the Knicks Feb. 6, MSG shares traded at $29.49. On July 5, the stock had risen more than 30 percent up to $38.80. Since then, as reports that Lin might leave the Knicks increased, shares have dropped to $35.50, an 8.5 percent fall.

Because of the luxury tax the Knicks would have had to pay in the third year of Lin's contract if they decided to match the Rockets' offer, it was estimated the Knicks would have had to pay $50 million to retain Lin. That seems like a lot, until you follow the stock-market path of MSG stock during Lin's time with the Knicks.

When Lin made his first start for the Knicks in early February, there was a media stir and MSG stock rose slowly and incrementally for a few days.

But when Linsanity began to take hold in mid-February, the stock spiked dramatically, according to the New York Observer.

The stock remained high in March when Lin was injured, when there was little thought that Lin would be anywhere but in New York next season.

But on July 5, the very day that reports surfaced that Lin had agreed to terms on an offer sheet with the Rockets, the stock began dropping, and it has been falling ever since.

--The NBA Board of Governors signed off on expanded use of instant replay next season and will allow "advertising patches" on game jerseys in 2013-14.

The replay rule allows for officials to review all flagrant fouls. At full speed, the severity of some breakaway fouls led to many questionable rulings in the postseason. The protocol has now changed.

"You go to the tape," said commissioner David Stern. "You decide whether it's a 1 or a 2, or in some rare instance, maybe even a common foul."

Under current NBA rules, officials can use video replay in the final two minutes of overtime to provide clarity on calls involving possession, goaltending and charging or blocking. Stern said discussions continue on how to deal with intentional "flopping" and he described the matter as a serious problem.

Revenue of up to $100 million is expected when the league allows advertising on uniforms. The league projection could be adjusted as individual teams and manufacturers to sort through all the variables in play in the major change. Replica uniforms would also include the advertising patches, which would be patterned after professional basketball and soccer in Europe with explicit limitations.

--The Dwightmare isn't over for the Orlando Magic.

Dwight Howard, through agent Dan Fegan, has thrown a wrench into gears of the humming trade machine yet again. This time, Howard's agent told ESPN that talk of Howard being open to a five-year maximum extension -- or any addition to his current deal, which expires at the end of the upcoming 2012-13 season -- was not accurate.

Fegan said Howard "fully intends to explore free agency at the end of next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn."

The Nets are holding out hope of acquiring Bryant but can't trade their most attractive chips until December. General manager Billy King told the NY Daily News the team still has interest and wouldn't yield even if Howard opts not to commit to a new contract with the Nets. At least in the short term, the Nets aren't in the bidding.

The Lakers aren't quite so gung-ho. According to multiple reports, general manager Mitch Kupchak is unlikely to part with 24-year-old center Andrew Bynum for a one-year rental of Howard.

Minus agreement toward at least a short-term extension, the Lakers have pause in pulling off the proposed three-team deal that would also include a third team with more draft assets than Los Angeles can offer the Magic.

--New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd apologized on Friday via Twitter for his recent arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated, ESPNNewYork.com reported.

"I regret any disruption my accident last weekend may have caused members of the community and want to thank the local authorities," Kidd tweeted. "I'd also like to thank my family and friends for their support."

Kidd, 39, was charged with a misdemeanor after a single-car accident in the Hamptons early Sunday morning.

Southampton police told The New York Times Kidd refused tests to measure the level of alcohol in his system. Kidd also declined a blood alcohol test at the hospital.

--The Boston Celtics acquired free-agent shooting guard Courtney Lee on Friday in a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets that also included the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN.com reported.

The Celtics' acquisition of Lee had been reported Thursday, but a few details have been added since then.

Lee will get a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $21.5 million, according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics sent JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Sean Williams and a second-round pick to Houston. Boston also sent Sasha Pavlovic and another second-round pick to Portland, ESPN.com reported.

The addition of the Blazers in the transaction allowed the Celtics to give Lee a higher salary.

Moore and Sean Williams are expected to be waived by the Rockets, according to the report.

Lee averaged 11.4 points in 30.3 minutes per game last season and shot 40.1 percent on 3-pointers.

He played in 58 games, including 26 starts.

Johnson averaged 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds for Boston last season, while Moore averaged 2.9 points for the Celtics and Williams 3.6 points for Boston and Dallas.

Pavlovic played in 45 games, including seven starts, and averaged 2.7 points.

--Center Kwame Brown officially signed with the 76ers for a two-year deal reported to be worth $6 million.

It continues busy movement along Philadelphia's front court, with Spencer Hawes re-signed and Darryl Watkins waived after being acquired in a trade.

Brown made $6.75 million as a member of the Warriors last season. He played in just nine games before he tore his pectoralis major -- the largest muscle in the chest which attaches to the shoulder -- and had surgery in January.

In 11 pro seasons, Brown averaged 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Golden State was his sixth NBA team since 2005 when he was drafted No. 1 by the Washington Wizards out of Glynn Academy in South Carolina.

Brown was the first high school player to be drafted first overall in the NBA draft.