New York Knicks ready to match Houston Rockets’ offer for Jeremy Lin – NBA News
The New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said once again that Jeremy Lin would “absolutely” be retained by the team.
Talking to reporters in Las Vegas where the Knicks are participating in the summer league, Woodson said that the Knicks would definitely match the offer the Houston Rockets have given to Lin, a restricted free agent point guard.
He added that he did not even blink when he got to know of the Rockets offer.
“Never once, Jeremy Lin has always been a big part of what we're trying to do as we move forward with our franchise,” said Woodson.
Woodson has said on numerous occasions in the past few months that the Knicks would be retaining Lin for the next few seasons, and even went as far as to say that he would be the starting point guard for the team.
Lin was picked up by the Knicks just as the 2011-2012 season started and remained on the benches till early February, when he got the chance to play after the Knicks roster was depleted with a multitude of injuries. Lin shined instantly, and led the Knicks back into playoff contention. In 35 games during the regular season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. He led the team to a 6-1 stretch in mid March under Woodson, who had just taken over from former coach Mike D’Antoni.
A source close to Lin spoke to ESPNNewYork.com and said he was surprised that the Knicks did not put forward an offer to Lin till the time the Rockets came calling. However, he added that Lin would likely rejoin the Knicks.
The New York Knicks also picked up veteran point guard Jason Kidd last week in a deal that shocked the basketball world. Kidd will likely be signed for the mid level exception of $3.09 million and be a great addition to the roster, adding experience and playoff pedigree to the team while also helping mentor Lin in becoming a mature point guard.
“Jason's a veteran guy that brings leadership. He'll be able to tutor (Lin) as he grows as a point guard for our franchise. And Jason can still play and run a ballclub, so that's important I think as we move forward and get ready for (training) camp and start the upcoming season,” said Woodson.
The Knicks also finalized a one year contract for Argentinean point guard Pablo Prigioni on Sunday, offering him the rookie minimum. Prigioni is 35 years old and has played numerous seasons in Argentina and Europe. His agent, George Bass, said Knicks General Manager Glen Grunwald had been eyeing him for the past five years.
Prigioni is currently training with the Argentinean national team in Venezuela for the 2012 London Olympics. He was the point guard for the bronze medal winning national team of Argentina in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, alongside Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni.
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