Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin. (Photo : Getty Images)
New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek wanted a "bridging" point guard whose play is somewhere in between of veteran Jose Calderon and inexperienced Jerian Grant, but the team is allegedly set to pass up the chance of signing incoming free agents Ty Lawson and Jeremy Lin this summer.
The New York Post reported that the 53-year-old bench tactician had been expressing his desire to improve the Knicks' point guard options for next season, but senior team officials may not be that enthusiastic to sign one in the offseason.
It should be noted that the former Suns boss had a surplus of floor generals during his time in Phoenix, with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, and Isaiah Thomas once playing together under his watch, and his system is said to be thriving on such a lineup.
With New York, the team is definitely lacking premium players at the number one guard spot and so Hornacek is allegedly "campaigning" to add one via free-agency.
"We have a young player that's obviously inexperienced after his first year," Hornacek said, referring to incoming sophomore Grant. "He'll get better and better. Jose is kind of later in his career. If we can find a middle guy to bridge those two guys, it would be good."
"There's a lot of guys out there. I'm sure Phil (Jackson, team president) and Steve (Mills, general manager) are looking at everything."
Hornacek did not mention names of particular point guards that he wants the Knicks to pursue, but there are speculations that he is interested in Indiana Pacers' Ty Lawson and Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lin.
The report continued, though, that team officials are wary of Lawson's off-court antics while they are also not convinced about Lin's overall defensive skills.
Fansided noted that New York is not ready to risk acquiring Lawson as his current on-court value is no longer higher than his off-court issues. The report also said that it is expected that any team who will consider signing the former Denver Nuggets starter will not overlook this aspect about him.
Meanwhile, Lin would seem like an "awkward" signing for the Knicks if they decide to do so because the gap between him and team leader Carmelo Anthony is not yet that polished. Bringing him back to New York will definitely be exciting for the fans, but will not be a good move if Melo is still in the roster.
