The NBA world has probably heard enough about the New York Knicks' interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Well, there's some good news on that front. The Knicks are reportedly putting a spotlight on one player with the trade deadline looming, and it's not the Milwaukee Bucks' superstar forward. It's his former teammate, Jrue Holiday.
According to Marc Stein, the Knicks are making some strong considerations in the coming weeks. As the team has struggled in the new year, the Knicks are suddenly beginning to doubt their status as true contenders in the NBA.
While that doesn't guarantee a big swing before the deadline, it's been made clear that an attempt might be in play, and Holiday is gaining steam as a Knicks target.
"Another concept that keeps coming up: Rumbles that the Knicks have explored pathways to try to acquire Portland’s Jrue Holiday," Stein wrote on Monday night.
"There are at least two clear reasons why New York would have interest in a player who helped both Milwaukee and Boston win championships this decade: 1) The presumption that acquiring Holiday - if there’s a way - would make the Knicks an even more attractive destination to Holiday’s former Bucks teammate Antetokounmpo; 2) New York is believed to hold a longstanding fondness for Holiday as a potential backcourt complement to Jalen Brunson."
Holiday's time with the Boston Celtics ended after the 2024-2025 NBA season. With the Celtics looking to clear up some space on their books, Holiday was a logical moving piece amid what was believed to be a gap-year for Boston. Holiday went to the Portland Trail Blazers, where it was assumed he would be later flipped.
There hasn't been a ton of steam surrounding the idea of Holiday becoming a trade deadline candidate, but the idea of Holiday going to a contender makes a ton of sense.
The Blazers have been better than expected, but they still aren't championship contenders at 23-24. Holiday might not be a 1A star, but he's a difference-maker, as he's one of the best two-way players in the game.
In 18 games, Holiday has shot 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from three to average 15.4 points per game. He is also averaging 4.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
Holiday could very well be a game-changer for New York, but it's unclear if he's on the table for the Blazers.
It might be safe to place the Antetokounmpo rumors on the shelf for another few months, but the Holiday market just might be heating up in time for the deadline.
Newsweek