Knicks Want To Re-Sign Jeremy Lin, Bring Point Guard Back To New York, According To Carmelo Anthony

After the Rockets offered Jeremy Lin $25 million over three years and the Knicks traded for Raymond Felton, many felt it was a foregone conclusion that the point guard would not return to New York.

Reports have indicated that the Knicks won't match Houston's offer, and Lin will be wearing a new uniform next year. According to Carmelo Anthony, however, there's still a chance that the Big Apple could be hit with Linsanity once again.

Anthony stated on Monday night that both he and Knicks management want Lin to be a part of the team's future.

I would love to see him back, honestly. I would definitely love to see him back, said Anthony after Team USA's exhibition with Brazil. But knowing the business of basketball, it's a tough situation, kind of for both of our sides. With Jeremy, I know he definitely wants to be back in New York and Dolan definitely wants him back. So it's just a matter of figuring it out.

The statement comes just a few days after the star forward called Lin's potential contract ridiculous. He claims his comments were taken out of context.

I always get backlash. It's nothing new, said Anthony. It is what it is. It was ridiculous for them to do what they did, as far as throwing that out there and making it tougher on us to sign him back. That's why it's called free agency, though.

At first, Lin was reportedly offered a deal worth around $19 million guaranteed. After Knicks head coach Mike Woodson publicly stated that the team would match any offer for Lin, the Rockets gave him even more money.

If the Knicks want to retain Lin, they'll have to pay the majority of his contract, $14.8 million to be exact, in the final year of the deal. Since New York is over the salary cap, the deal would force them to pay moe than double Lin's salary in luxury tax penalties.

Despite what Anthony says, many have questioned the star's willingness to play alongside Lin. Anthony has often been criticized for not helping the Knicks have more success, and it's possible that he is somewhat jealous of all the attention Lin has gotten since bursting onto the scene.

Anthony says those claims are overblown, and he can't understand why some think he and Lin don't get along.

I don't know, Anthony said. I can't worry about that. Ask Lin. He'll tell you what a good relationship we have.

If Knicks owner James Dolan really wants Lin back, he has until 11:59 pm. ET Tuesday night to make his decision. Lin will only make $10.2 million over the next two years, a potential bargain for a good point guard.

The Knicks already have three point guards on the 2012-13 roster in Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni from Spain.