Jason Kidd Open to "Mentoring" Jeremy Lin on the Knicks?

If the arbitrator from last week's hearing regarding "Bird Rights" ultimately rules in favor of the NBA, not only will the Knicks not have many resources to add outside talent, but they may also simply have difficulty retaining their own two two free agents, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak. 

Should the Players Union win the hearing, New York will be able to re-sign both Lin and Novak, and still be able to use their Midlevel Exception on someone else. Should the NBPA lose, however, there may not be enough money to go around.

Until then, however, the media and Knicks fans alike are enjoying pondering which savvy veterans may be strong fits in New York. While last week, it was Ray Allen. Just who happens to be this week's latest Knickerbocker pipe dream?

That would be NBA champion and future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, who will be a free agent. There's a good chance the 39 year old will sign the last contract of his career this summer, and he's looking for that perfect fit before riding off into the sunset.

That perfect pairing may ultimately be teaming up with good friend Deron Williams. Realizing his best days are behind him, Kidd is open to playing a reserve role next season. Whether Kidd flocks to Brooklyn for another stint with the Nets, or Williams comes to Dallas to play in his hometown state of Texas with the Mavericks, the two golf buddies are quite intrigued about the idea of playing together. 

Though playing in Brooklyn may have its appeal, so does donning orange and blue while playing in the heart of New York City. While Kidd believes he and Williams could play well off one another, he is also open to playing a big brother like role with the Knicks, potentially mentoring the up and coming Jeremy Lin and passing on some of his Hall of Fame caliber knowledge. 

Given's Lin short (yet remarkable) stint with the Knicks this season, New York would be smart to pair him up with a veteran guard as he continues to transition into a full-time starting floor general. Kidd, who is also good friends with 2012 Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler, could be a perfect fit. Who else would a team want molding their point guard of the future?

Though Kidd joining the Knicks may only be viewed as a pipe dream by many, is it possible New York could sign him regardless of the outcome of the hearing? Should the NBPA lose the hearing, New York's MLE will be solely dedicated to Lin. If Novak proves to have then priced himself out of the Knicks market with only the Bi-Annual Exception available, perhaps Kidd would sign for that value instead.

The impact Kidd would have due to his veteran presence is undeniable, but the fact of the matter is he has declined and is no longer able to take on the burden of minutes at the point guard position for a team. Thus, the best potential fits for Kidd may not want to use their full MLE (or even the majority of it) on him.