Should Knicks Try Dealing With Rockets For Jeremy Lin?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's no secret that the New York Knicks want to upgrade at the point guard position.
So how about a little Linsanity, the sequel?
After all, it was two years ago this month that Jeremy Lin went from a little-known bench player to the toast of the town. Who better to swoop in and save the season?
"We've heard about (the Knicks) going after a point guard -- Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague. I know another guy they'd love to get their hands on right now and that's Jeremy Lin," ESPN basketball insider Chad Ford said in a recent podcast with Grantland's Bill Simmons. "The question is, would Houston do it? I know the word is no. But maybe to get out of that contract, maybe if Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. are in the deal. Maybe."
The Knicks opted not to match the Houston Rockets' backloaded three-year, $25 million offer to Lin following the 2011-12 season. Instead they brought back point guard Raymond Felton, who was a key member of last year's 54-win team.
But now Felton appears to be on the outs and the Knicks (20-33) are reportedly looking to make a move before Thursday's trade deadline.
Lin is averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds for the Rockets, who are among the top teams in the Western Conference at 36-17. Houston has reportedly been shopping the 25-year-old Lin and center Omer Asik.
"They want a point guard. They want something to shake this up," Ford said of the Knicks. "I'm telling you, that's someone that they would like. I'm not saying Houston would do it."
It would make for an awkward reunion. First off, Lin was considered more of a Mike D'Antoni-type player. Mike Woodson, though embattled, is still the head coach.
On top of that, Carmelo Anthony expects the Knicks to consult with him leading up to the deadline. And the team has reason to keep him happy considering his plans to opt out after the season.
Anthony faced countless questions two years ago about whether he could coexist with Lin when he was sitting, the point guard was dealing and the team was sizzling.
"I can't worry about what other people are saying about me," Anthony told WFAN's Mike Francesa in Feb. 2012. "At the end of the day, it's just their opinions. But if I said I don't hear it or it doesn't bother me a little bit, I'd be lying to you."
That July, Anthony complained of criticism after the Knicks decided not to re-sign Lin.
"It is what it is," he told the New York Daily News. "Anything that happens in New York they blame me. I accept that. I don't really worry about it, to be honest with you."
But now the Knicks need a spark -- and a way to convince Anthony to stay. They've also been linked to Boston point guard Rajon Rondo, though most analysts doubt the team has the chips to pull off that sort of a deal.
"I know the Knicks are trying," Ford said. "I'm not sure that they have the juice to get it done."
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