Why Jrue Holiday is suddenly a top trade target for the Knicks

[ASFN Admin]

The New York Knicks are in the news as they are potentially shopping Karl-Anthony Towns but may also have an entirely independent move on the horizon.

According to league insider Marc Stein, while rival teams think Towns is "in play" to some extent, another player is also making headlines for New York. Here is more from the veteran reporter (via The Stein Line):

"Another concept that keeps coming up: Rumbles that the Knicks have explored pathways to try to acquire Portland's Jrue Holiday.

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."

The idea of alluring Giannis Antetokounmpo to New York by dangling his former championship teammate Jrue Holiday makes sense in a vacuum.

But it also makes sense independent of the two-time NBA MVP. Holiday, indeed, would make for a perfect complement in the backcourt with Jalen Brunson.

Stein's colleague Jake Fischer reported another additional, noteworthy detail (via The Stein Line):

"File this away as well: League sources say Portland has long admired New York's Mikal Bridges going back to Lillard's first stint as a Blazer.

I must also share, furthermore, that league sources have painted the Blazers as potential buyers during this Trade Season, with Portland said to be looking to be opportunistic before the onrushing deadline to help its playoff push."

Perhaps some framework of a deal with Bridges to Portland and Holiday to New York could come to fruition before the upcoming NBA trade deadline.

Holiday turns 36 years old this summer and, even if Bridges is not included, could cost the Knicks valuable players like Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Jrue Holiday is suddenly a top trade target for the Knicks

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