The New York Knicks are reportedly targeting former point guard Jeremy Lin before the Feb 20 trade deadline, a source close to situation reported on Monday.

According to ESPN Chad Ford, the former Harvard hot shot could make a return to the Big Apple as the Knicks appear to be leaning towards acquiring the man that started Linsanity.

Ford stressed that despite the Knicks' on-going talks to acquire Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry or Atlanta Hawks playmaker Jeff Teague, the franchise is still looking for the possibility of bringing back Lin, who averaged at least 14 points and 4 dimes per game in a backup role for the Houston Rockets.

"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 a podcast session with ESPN NBA analyst and Grantland head columnist Bill Simmons.

Ford, who has been one of the top insiders in the NBA, admitted that it might be hard for the Knicks to get Lin back, but they could certainly pull it off if they include both Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. in a package.

"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 pointed out.

Simmons was apparently pessimistic on the trade, saying the Knicks would never part ways with their youngsters for the 25-year-old Lin. However, Ford explained the Knicks believe a more seasoned Lin could be a quick fix at the point guard position.

"They want a point guard. They want something to shake this up," Ford replied to Simmons via Sporting News. "That's someone that they would like."

Even before Lin signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Rockets, the Knicks expressed interest in re-signing the global hoops sensation. However, the Rockets poison pill contract offered to Lin might have scared away Knicks James Dolan from committing a big deal with the Asian superstar.

Two years later, the Knicks might have a change of heart and apparently ready to ignite Linsanity once again at Madison Square Garden.

"The Knicks moved on from Lin in 2012 when they decided not to match the Rockets' three-year, $25 million offer sheet to him and chose to go with Raymond Felton. The deal was heavily backloaded: Lin will make $15 million next season in the final year. Any team that acquires Lin would thus pay him more for one-plus year than the Rockets would for almost two. On the other hand, that'll be a big expiring-contract chip come next trade deadline," reported Sporting World.