Knicks Claim Jeremy Lin, Considering Other Free Agents

The Knicks have claimed Jeremy Lin off waivers. He will provide depth at the guard position and fill in for Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, and Iman Shumpert, who are currently injured.

Lin, 23, played with the Golden State Warriors last season. In 29 games, he put up averages of 2.6 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in only 10 minutes a game. Lin's contract is non-guarunteed.

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Lin is probably not a permanent option for the Knicks this season and the Knicks are looking into some other free agents. Here is the rundown:

Gilbert Arenas
I think that Agent Zero would be a good fit and and would be worth the risk if the Knicks signed him. For more, read this.

Wilson Chandler
There has been talk of former-Knick Wilson Chandler possibly rejoining the team, but I don't see it happening and here's why:
-He is not available to sign until March 2012 and even then the Nuggets have the right to match whatever the Knicks offer and New York doesn't have the cap space to outbid Denver.
-Also, as much as Chandler says he wants to rejoin New York, he probably also wants money and can probably be wooed by a big contract offer from a team with a lot more cap space.

Kenyon Martin
K-Mart wouldn't be able to join the Knicks until March 2012 like Chandler, but could be worth the wait. He would serve as a solid back-up to Amar'e Stoudemire and could be the a key player in a possible title run this season.

James Posey
There was talk a while back of Posey signing with the Knicks, but Mike D'Antoni dissmissed the rumors and the Knicks don't really need him. They need a guard becuase of injuries and also, Posey just isn't as talented as the other players the Knicks could sign.

J.R. Smith
There hasn't been any talk of him signing with the Knicks when he will be available in March 2012, but he could help the Knicks at the shooting guard position. Landry Fields is still struggling and Iman Shumpert needs time to develop. That being said, Smith hasn't publicly expressed any interest in signing with New York and will probably be offered more money somewhere else.

Personally, I think the Knicks should trade Bill Walker, Steve Novak, and/or Jared Jeffries to free up cap space. Then the Knicks could sign up to four of these guys. I think the Knicks should target Martin and Arenas. Chandler and Smith are far-fetched and Posey wouldn't help the team as much. The Knicks could just keep Lin, but unless he plays really well, I don't think they should.

Here is how the Knicks' lineup is looking as of right now:

PG: Toney Douglas - Jeremy Lin*, Baron Davis, Mike Bibby

SG: Landry Fields - Bill Walker, Iman Shunpert

SF: Carmelo Anthony - Renaldo Balkman, Steve Novak

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire - Jared Jeffries

C: Tyson Chandler - Josh Harrellson, Jerome Jordan

* = Non-guarunteed contract
Red = Injured

UPDATE: I forgot to mention Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins, Marcus Banks, who the Knicks could also sign.

Have any thoughts on Jeremy Lin joining the team or what free agents you think the Knicks should target? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.