New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson: Jeremy Lin is "our starting point guard"

New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Jeremy Lin is his starting point guard heading into next season. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson seems confident his team will re-sign Jeremy Lin, and when it does, he plans on the point guard leading the team again, Woodson said on ESPN Radio, according to a report by the New York Post. 

Lin, who emerged from the end of the bench to star in a historic run that set off a wave of "Linsanity" this season, is a restricted free agent. Lin also injured his knee in March and missed the rest of the season. Despite those questions, Woodson backed Lin.

"Right now, he is our starting point guard, without a doubt," Woodson said. "I’ve always believed this: When a starter goes down he doesn’t lose his job because of an injury. You welcome him back with open arms when he gets healthy and you keep it moving."

"That’s what we’re going to do when we get [Lin] signed," Woodson continued. "We’ll get him back in uniform ... and get him ready for practice and camp and throw the ball in his hands and say, ‘Let’s go.’ "

A lot could change for New York by the start of training camp. Lin and Steve Novak could both leave as free agents, and Amare Stoudemire's name has been mentioned occasionally in trade rumors. Other free agents, including point guards Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Andre Miller, could find their way to New York -- although salary cap issues would make those acquisitions tricky.