The New York Knicks are determined to upgrade their point guard rotation before the deadline. And if they can't strike a deal to acquire their primary targets, reports indicate that the Knicks could make a strong push to bring Jeremy Lin back to the Big Apple.

Yahoo Sports recently reported that the Houston Rockets are aggressively shopping Lin, but have yet to find a taker due to the Rockets' high asking price.

But the Rockets could find a trade partner in the Knicks, who are still shopping for an impact point guard in hopes of making a playoff push this season.

ESPN's Chad Ford revealed that while the Knicks are still making a strong push to acquire Rajon Rondo or Kyle Lowry before the deadline, sources said that the Knicks could shift their attention to Lin, who had a great run in New York during the 2011-12 season.

"We've heard about them going after a point guard such as Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague. I know another guy they'd love to get their hands on right now, and that's Jeremy Lin," Ford said during his recent podcast session with Grantland insider Bill Simmons.

Acquiring Lin will be easier said than done for the Knicks because the Rockets are reportedly asking for high draft picks in any deal involving Lin and Omer Asik.

The Knicks have no first-round picks in the next four drafts, but Ford indicated that the Knicks could convince the Rockets to part ways with Lin in exchange for Iman Shumpert or rookie guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

"And the question is, would Houston do it? I know the word is no, but maybe, to get out of that contract. Maybe if Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. are in the deal. Maybe," Ford added.

Recent reports indicated though that the Knicks have been turning down offers for Hardaway, but Ford insisted that the Knicks are getting desperate to upgrade their current roster to convince Carmelo Anthony to stay in New York when the superstar point guard becomes a free agent this summer.

"They want a point guard. They want something to shake this up. That's someone that they would like," Ford stressed.

Lin, who is averaging 13.2 points and 4.5 assists per game this season, could be stop-gap solution to the Knicks' point guard woes, but it remains to be seen whether or not it would be enough to help the Knicks advance to the playoffs this season.