Another day, and another New York Knicks rumor: they’re interested in Justin Holiday.
J. Michael of the IndyStar reports that Holiday “really wanted” to return to the Pacers but is now “sour” on the team’s standing. Furthermore, Michael says that the Knicks “really want” Holiday, a free agent this offseason.
Holiday appeared in 73 games, six of which he started, for the Indiana Pacers this season. He averaged 8.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. Holiday started two games in the Pacers’ first-round series matchup with the Miami Heat; the Pacers were swept. For his career, the wing is averaging 8.1 points per game while shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Holiday, 31, played for the Knicks in the 2016-17 NBA season, appearing in 82 games, four of which he started. He came to the Knicks in the 2016 blockbuster trade that sent point guard Derrick Rose to the Big Apple. New York traded guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant and center Robin Lopez to Chicago.
The Knicks’ current wing/forward rotation includes RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Kevin Knox.
The Knicks could have upwards of $40 million in cap space this offseason depending on what they do with the team options they hold on multiple veteran players, including Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington and Bobby Portis. They also hold three picks in the upcoming NBA Draft: their own first (8) and second-rounder (38) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round pick (27).
New York has revamped its coaching staff under team president Leon Rose, hiring former Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau to patrol the sidelines. Kenny Payne, Johnnie Bryant, Andy Greer, Dice Yoshimoto, and former Knicks head coach Mike Woodson will be assistants under Thibodeau.
The Knicks have also been linked to Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans.