10 Teams, 10 Days: New Taipei Kings

10 Teams In 10 Days: New Taipei Kings

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Our East Asia Super League editorial staff breaks down the key storylines, players and statistics of each franchise as tip-off nears.

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New Taipei Kings

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The New Taipei Kings are one of the favorites to win this year’s East Asia Super League (EASL). Last season, New Taipei finished second in Group B to confirm its spot in the 2024 EASL Final Four. However, consecutive losses to eventual champions — Japan’s Chiba Jets — and Korea’s Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, the Kings placed fourth.

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Headlining New Taipei’s 2024-25 roster is former NBA champion Jeremy Lin. Entering his second campaign with the Kings, all eyes will be on the 6-foot-3 guard and whether he can lead the team to its first-ever EASL title.

Here’s everything you need to know about the New Taipei Kings:

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3-Pointers

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1. Jeremy Lin Extends Contract

On Sep. 2, Lin confirmed that he will play for New Taipei in the 2024-25 season. Lin’s extension — defined as a 1+1 contract — stipulates that the guard will suit up for the Kings this year, but has the option to forgo the 2025-26 campaign.

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During Lin’s first season with New Taipei, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists to help the franchise win its first-ever P. LEAGUE+ title. Competing in EASL, Lin tallied 16.6 points on 47.2% shooting from the field but committed five turnovers a game.

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“As the saying goes, getting to the top isn’t easy, staying there is even harder,” Lin said in an Instagram post announcing his contract extension. “It won’t be easy defending (our) title, but we’re excited for the challenge.”

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2. Import Additions

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In the offseason, New Taipei put together a near-flawless frontcourt by picking up 6-foot-11 Chris Johnson and 7-foot Jason Washburn. Interestingly enough, both big men arrived from rival Chinese Taipei teams. Johnson and Washburn each spent two years (2022-24) with the Taipei Fubon Braves and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, respectively.

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Although Johnson’s Braves didn’t qualify for the postseason, Washburn led Taoyuan to a 26-14 and the league’s No. 1 seed. He averaged 21.9 points per game, 13.2 rebounds per game and was named the P. LEAGUE+ Import of the Year before the Pilots ultimately lost to New Taipei — Washburn’s now-team — in the Finals.

The Kings are Johnson's 25th franchise since he began his professional career in 2009. Starting in Turkey, the former Louisiana State standout spent time in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Boston Celtics, the New Orleans Hornets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively, before making stops in Poland, China, Croatia, Australia, Japan and more. In 2023-24, Johnson notched 22 points per game and 12.7 rebounds in three EASL games, while averaging 19.1 points per game and 11.2 rebounds in the P. LEAGUE+.

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3. Three-Headed Monster

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New Taipei possesses one of the best three-guard rotations in this year’s EASL field. Alongside Lin, the Kings return Joseph Lin — Jeremy’s brother — and 6-foot point guard Lee Kai Yan.

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Joseph, who’s four years younger than Jeremy, has been with New Taipei since 2022. He previously played for the Taipei Fubon Braves (2015-2022). Since going undrafted coming out of Hamilton College (NY) in 2015, Lin has earned P. LEAGUE+ All-Team honors in consecutive seasons.

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Lee was a surprise hero during the 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Finals, leading New Taipei with 14.2 points per game on 45.71% shooting from the field. Utilizing his deceptive speed and high-level shot-making, Lee received Finals MVP honors.

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Players To Watch

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1. Jeremy Lin

Best-known for his incredible run with the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 NBA season, Lin remains a top-level floor general. Prior to playing for New Taipei, he was an NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and a Chinese Basketball Association All-Star with the Beijing Ducks.

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In 2023-24, Lin averaged 19.3 points during the regular season. In the playoffs and Finals, his production remained consistent excluding a dramatic uptick in free-throw percentage (81.7% to 95.2%).

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2. Lee Kai Yan

The reigning P. LEAGUE+ Finals MVP, Lee exploded in the championship series against Taoyuan to help New Taipei win in five games. After a team-high 18 points in an 89-82 Game 1 win, Lin said postgame that Lee’s performance “wasn’t a surprise” and dubbed him an early MVP favorite.

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In 2024-25, the Kings will hope Lee’s late-season heroics carry over into their EASL campaign.

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3. Austin Daye

Austin Daye was a former one-and-done out of Gonzaga after averaging 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-9 forward was selected 15th overall by the Detroit Pistons but also saw action with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.

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After winning an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2014, Daye spent most of his time playing overseas. In the 2024 EASL Final Four with the Kings, he put up 14 points per game and shot a team-high 40% from 3.

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New Taipei By The Numbers

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New Taipei’s 2023-24 EASL Season

• Group stage record: 4-2
• Nov. 8, 2023 — 90-72 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
• Nov. 27, 2023 — 97-92 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
• Jan. 3, 2024 — 89-77 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
• Jan. 10, 2024 — 67-63 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
• Jan. 24, 2024 — 90-67 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
• Final Four: Jan. 31, 2024 — 89-57 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

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New Taipei’s 2023-24 EASL Statistic Leaders

• Points: Jeremy Lin – 16.6 ppg
• Rebounds: Kenny Manigault – 10.0 rpg
• Assists: Jeremy Lin – 5.6 apg
• Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.2 spg
• Blocks: Tony Mitchell Jr. – 2.5 bpg

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New Taipei’s 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season

• Regular season record: 22-18
• Finished 3rd in P.LEAGUE+ regular season
• Defeated Formosa Dreamers (4-2) and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (4-1) to win 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Championship

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New Taipei’s 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Statistic Leaders

• Points: Jeremy Lin – 19.3 ppg
• Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 10.8 rpg
• Assists: Joseph Lin – 6.7 apg
• Steals: Kenny Manigault – 2.8 spg
• Blocks: Byron Mullens – 1.0 bpg

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Team Schedule

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