On Thursday afternoon, the New York Knicks signed veteran point guard Jason Kidd. By Thursday evening the news around the NBA world was that Jeremy Lin had reached a verbal agreement with the Houston Rockets.

The agreement is worth close to $30 million for 4 years. The Knicks still have the right to match the offer, so nothing is set in stone. 

So why exactly did they get Jason Kidd if they are letting Lin talk to other teams?

It could go two ways.

The Knicks are going to sign Jeremy Lin, so they Kidd to serve as a mentor for the young point guard. Kidd has always been known for being a notorious ball handler and great passer. 

As the myth has it, well it is a true story, Kidd slept with two basketballs, one on each hand, and the goal was to wake up with both basketballs in his hands.

The other reason why the Knicks signed Kidd, though a bit far fetched; improve Iman Shumpert's game as a point guard. 

As of right now, Shumpard is a more defensive-minded guard. It is not to say his ball handling and assisting skills are not good, but they are subpar in comparison to a Rajon Rondo, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd or Jeremy Lin.

So maybe in the back of the organization's head the logic behind signing Kidd is that he will improve their point guard's game, regardless of who is running the offense when the season tipsoff.