The Milwaukee Bucks acquired seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the rest of the NBA.
And while the blockbuster deal may have closed the door on a potential Knicks push for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, it did open the door for another All-Star player to potentially land in the Big Apple.
As part of the three-team Lillard trade, two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday was sent to the Portland Trail Blazer, but the Blazers are reportedly expected to reroute Holiday to another team.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Knicks, along with the Indiana Pacers, are expected to have “at least some level of interest” in a Holiday trade. Lowe also lists the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers as potential fits.
The 33-year-old Holiday has evolved into one of the NBA’s most underrated stars. A two-time All-Star, Holiday is also one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, earning All-Defensive Team honors in each of the last five seasons.
Though he’s primarily played point guard in his career, Holiday also has the ability to play off the ball as a shooting guard. Over the course of his 14-year career with the 76ers, Pelicans, and Bucks, Holiday has averaged 16.4 points, 6.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
The Knicks, of course, have their starting point guard in Jalen Brunson, but Holiday could play either off the ball at the two, or perhaps even come off the bench.