Yes, he’s only backup center, only averaged 4 points last season, and just seems irrelevant to most Knicks fans, but Jeffries brings so many intangibles. Intangibles that don’t show up on the box scores but can win games.

Despite the lack of playing time and offense, Jeffries provides veteran leadership to the Knicks locker room. As 9-year veteran he is able to mentor younger Knicks’ players  on how to conduct themselves as well as motivate this team against adversity.

When Jefferies does play, he makes his impact known on the defensive end. Jefferies not only can clean the glass but can set solid screens and take charges as good as anyone in the league.

Apr 15, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Jared Jeffries (9) defends Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Miami won 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

It’s Jefferies effort and hustle that makes his impact on this team standout. Being willing to take charges and being a motivated rebounder on defense is the type of effort this team needs to drive them up the Eastern Conference standings next season.

Without Jefferies the Knicks lose size down low–a necessity in today’s game. They need Jefferies size and length to either block and alter shots.As a result, the New York brass should definitely consider bringing Jeffries back at a veteran’s minimum because they will be getting a bargain with the intangibles Jeffries brings.

With much of the Knicks roster heading towards free agency this summer, questions linger as to where the team is headed in the future. The core of Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler is locked up for the next few years, but thus far that trio has proven to be incomplete, needing assistance to efficiently function on the offensive end. For many people, that answer lies at the point guard position.

In an interview with ESPN New York radio, Jared Jeffries echoed these sentiments:

“We gotta have a point guard. I think that a point guard that demands the respect of [Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire] will do a lot better. I think you had some of that with Chauncey [Billups]… he was able to get them in the right spots, and able to kind of distribute shots for both of them. So, I think the big key is for Jeremy [Lin] to take the next step as a point guard, he has to command the ball, have control of the offense, and get guys in the right spots.”

While Jeffries expressed full confidence in Lin, he also wouldn’t go as far as to say the Knicks shouldn’t sign Lin at the expense of getting a player like Steve Nash, who will be a free agent this summer. Jeffries cited that he couldn’t see someone like Nash taking the veteran’s minimum to play in New York, but the Knicks also have the mid-level exception (MLE) which has been assumed will go to Lin.

While Mike Woodson (who might have his interim title taken off soon) seemed to express little doubt that Lin would be back next season, Lin didn’t sound so sure. Lin admitted that he’d like to be back with the Knicks, but also said that “it’s a business” and “crazy things happen”.

To some, Jeremy’s brief, but exciting stint as starting point guard (25 games) is inconclusive. Though his stats are impressive – 18.2 points, 7.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game – there is a worry that locking up Lin long term with such a small sample size (surely somewhat fueled by adrenaline) could be a mistake. Especially when spending money will be so tight for the Knicks. Take into account that free agents like J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, and Jared Jeffries all can earn bigger contracts from other teams, there is a worry that utilizing the largest chunk of spending money on Lin would be investing in a somewhat unknown product.

There are multiple options regarding Lin, though, some of which Alan Hahn outlined in his latest Fix. The most conceivable would be to convince Lin to take part of the MLE (which is about $5 million in total) and use the remainder to sign one of the above-mentioned free agents. Marc Berman of the New York Post recently mentioned names such as Raymond Felton, Kirk Hinrich, Ramon Sessions, Jonny Flynn, among others, as point guards the Knicks would try to steal this offseason. In a perfect world, the Knicks could convince Lin to take his qualifying offer (just over $1 million) and use the full MLE to lure Nash into New York.

The Knicks hold the right to match any offers that Lin receives from other teams, due to the Gilbert Arenas provision. However, the most devastating prospect would be that the Knicks would be forced to match a big offer from a spiteful team (I’m looking at you, New Jersey Brooklyn Nets!) and end up overpaying Lin or losing him.

So, much of the offseason represents a gamble. Can the Knicks trust what they saw from Lin in February and March and invest in him for the future? Or do they go into “win-now” mode and shoot for the shiny, attractive toy, Steve Nash? Either way, Jeremy Lin and the point guard position will dictate the future of the Knicks.

It is no secret that the Knicks are looking to add some more depth to their team, while still maintaining enough cap flexibility to be a player in the Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Dwight Howard sweepstakes.  Adding either Caron Butler, or resigning Shawne Williams would effectively fill the hole at backup small forward which they would likely be able to do on a short term contract. (more…)