NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Interested in Indiana Pacers Veteran Justin Holiday

Justin Holiday has an important decision to make in the upcoming free agency. The Pacers veteran will have to prioritize winning a championship in his future or maximizing the money he can make. The NBA journeyman is coming off a solid season with the Pacers in which they made the playoffs.

Holiday went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. After years of playing basketball overseas, Holiday signed the Golden State Warriors in 2014. He played 59 games for the Warriors, but only started 4. Holiday played 5 games in the Warriors’ playoff run.

He won his first and only NBA championship with the Warriors. After his one season with the Warriors, Holiday jumped to and played for many NBA franchises. He had short-lived stints with the Hawks, Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and the Memphis Grizzlies.

In 2019, Holiday signed a one-year $4 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. Justin reunited with his brother Aaron in Indiana. Holiday took on a smaller role with the Pacers. Holiday played 73 games, starting only 6 games. He averaged close to 8 points in a game, but it was his play off the ball that impressed them.

Holiday and the Pacers went to the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. They played eventual finalists Miami Heat in the first round, getting swept in four games. Holiday started two out of the four games in the series, averaging close to 7 points per game. It was Holiday’s first playoff appearance since his championship run with Golden State.

New York Knicks interested in Holiday

Holiday is no longer going to be an important starter for an NBA franchise. But at age 31, he can provide depth off the bench and solid veteran experience to any team. He has garnered the interest of the Knicks. Ian Begley of SportsNet New York is reporting that the New York Knicks are looking for a reunion with Justin Holiday.

“Holiday, a 6-6 wing, played in New York in 2016-17. He’s also played for Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago. The 31-year-old would give New York a steadying, veteran presence in the locker room; he’s shown that he can impact winning on both ends of the floor. Holiday is an unrestricted free agent and The Indianapolis Star reported that the Pacers have prioritized re-signing him.”

The Knicks will face a tough test to sign Holiday, as the Pacers will want to bring him back. However, the Knicks can offer him a much better short-term deal to entice him.