Jeremy Lin: New York Knicks' Spark Plug Shouldn't Be Granted Immunity Yet

Mike Woodson insisted on Thursday that Jeremy Lin would be back next season in New York, but the Knicks shouldn't peg him as the unquestioned starter just yet.

Woodson was careful not to declare Lin as next season's starter on Thursday. Then again, he hasn't been re-signed yet this offseason (although, you would think he'd get a new contract).

The organization as a whole needs to understand that Lin is still unproven. Does he deserve a new deal this offseason? Of course he does. What he did in his 25 games as a starter this season was incredible. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.7 assists and 2.0 steals in those 25 games while shooting nearly 45 percent from the floor. If it wasn't for him, the Knicks may have not even made the playoffs.

But the Knicks need to see what Lin does in a full season. He also averaged 4.7 turnovers in those 25 starts, and although he appeared to be curbing his turnover issues before going down with a torn meniscus, he still needs to prove he can do that over the course of a season.

There's also the fact that Deron Williams and Steve Nash are free agents this offseason. Williams may be a long shot (I like him in Dallas), but Nash is a possibility. 

It wouldn't hurt to groom Lin under Nash, using him as a spark plug off the bench. Nash is an eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP, after all. On top of that, despite being 38 years old, he's still a dynamic playmaker, averaging 10.7 assists this season on the talent-deprived Phoenix Suns. He also has playoff experience and, of course, played with Amar'e Stoudemire in Phoenix.

Stoudemire said on Thursday, via The Record:

"

What team wouldn’t want a two-time MVP? An assist leader? A veteran point guard? What team wouldn’t want that? But we do have Jeremy Lin here and we do have confidence in him and what he can do for us. Steve [Nash] is obviously a great friend of mine. But we can’t overlook the fact that we do have Jeremy Lin who played great for us this season."

"

Why not have the best of both worlds?

Making a splash with Nash and re-signing Lin would be a huge step in the right direction. There are still other questions surrounding the Knicks, including what they'll do with Stoudemire, but having two playmakers like Nash and Lin has a way of lifting teams.

The Knicks would be wise to try to lock up both Nash and Lin.

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