NY Knicks -- Courting the Hell Outta Jeremy Lin

The New York Knicks put on a full court press this weekend to kiss the ass of their #1 free agent -- Jeremy Lin -- with Coach Mike Woodson wining and dining the point guard at a fancy Beverly Hills steakhouse ... and TMZ has the footage.

Woodson -- who just took over the team at the end of regular season -- seemed pretty chummy with Jeremy as the two exited Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills ... one of the best (and most expensive) restaurants in town.

But Woodson didn't come alone -- Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler joined the two for dinner.

Lin -- who broke out as a superstar last year -- becomes a free agent in just a couple of weeks ... and Woodson has already announced that he wants Jeremy to be his starting point guard next season.