NBA Free Agency 2012: Knicks Should Complete Offseason by Signing Mike James

The New York Knicks have made strides this offseason to fill their roster with viable options at every position.

Jason Kidd has reportedly made the choice to come to New York. Steve Novak has agreed to return to the team. Even J.R. Smith, whom many expected would command an inordinate salary, will reportedly re-sign.

Marcus Camby is on his way over, and James Dolan further proves that he is an abject lunatic if he doesn't match the offer that the Houston Rockets put forth to the international superstar.

A third-string point guard is necessary, though. Last season, we all witnessed the carnage up and down the Knicks roster in a lockout-shortened season. 

Of course, Kidd is in better shape than Mike Bibby and Baron Davis were last year. He has been relatively healthy his entire career, but missed 18 games last season, including a handful due to a back injury.

Jeremy Lin missed the end of last season because of knee surgery, and it wouldn't come as a shock to see the two miss at least a bit of time next season.

Because of that, the Knicks are going to need a solid option at the third-string point guard spot just in case anything fishy happens with the first two guys on the depth chart.

According to FoxSports.com's Chris Tomasson via Twitter, the Knicks are looking at free-agent point guard Mike James:

"

Agent Bernie Lee said Mike James is a candidate to sign minimum deal with Knicks. “It seems like a pretty logical ... sulia.com/c/nba-free-age…

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 10, 2012"

Yes, James is 37 years old and has been on a lot of teams in his NBA career, but he's a serviceable player still. He won't be if he has to play 30-plus minutes, but he's an adequate addition given the price he will come at.

His 4.8-point average in 11 games with the Chicago Bulls last season doesn't look promising, but remember that he won't need to do much but bring the ball up and kick start the play every time up the court. That is, if Woodson even decides to run a play with Carmelo Anthony on the court.

For those who are pushing toward a shooting guard, that won't be necessary. 

There's no reason for the Knicks to pursue and overpay a shooting guard like Randy Foye or Shannon Brown when they will have no use for either of the two once Iman Shumpert returns.

Sure, Shumpert's ACL injury was very serious, but he should only miss the first couple months of next season at most.

Remember Shumpert's knee injury at the beginning of last season when he was supposed to be out for at least a month? He only missed four games.

It's obviously a different scenario and injury, but from the small sample that we've seen of Shumpert, he doesn't seem like one to relent until he returns to the court.

The Knicks front office doesn't need to make a panic move and sign an overrated shooting guard to play for two months.

For now, the Knicks should sign James and look for a cheap veteran shooting guard who has two months left in him until Shumpert returns.