New York Knicks Eye Jrue Holiday As Long-Term Play For Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The New York Knicks have been quiet on the transaction front this season, making just one roster move so far by waiving Tosan Evbuomwan earlier this month. Behind the scenes, however, league sources indicate New York has been far more active in monitoring the NBA trade market — with a particular focus on Jrue Holiday.
That interest, according to league chatter, is not limited to Holiday’s on-court value alone. In the latest trade scenarios circulating around the league, the Knicks are viewed as exploring a potential Holiday acquisition as part of a broader, long-term strategy that could eventually involve Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As an NBA exec told Ahn Fire Digital, the Knicks are exploring a trade for Holiday to attract Giannis, given their close bond while teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Giannis loves Jrue,” the executive said. “This is a brilliant idea by the Knicks. Not only does Jrue help them defensively, but he’s also one of Giannis’ closest teammates and friends. This is all a ploy to get Giannis to request a trade to the Knicks, and I think it might work.”
"The idea would be that Giannis would enjoy playing with Jrue Holiday again"
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 27, 2026
Ian talks about Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and how the Knicks fit in to trade rumors surrounding the pair on The Putback with @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/vFkKdoUl3A
Holiday and Antetokounmpo spent three seasons together in Milwaukee, forming one of the league’s most formidable two-way pairings. Their chemistry was central to the Bucks’ 2021 championship run, which culminated in a six-game Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Reuniting Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo as a Strategic Play
Around the league, there is a belief that New York views a Holiday reunion with Antetokounmpo as a potential leverage point — should Milwaukee ever open the door to trade conversations involving its franchise star. While Antetokounmpo has consistently stated publicly that he does not intend to request a trade, executives around the NBA acknowledge that the Bucks’ long-term direction could eventually come under review.
Milwaukee is no longer universally viewed as a clear championship favorite, and Antetokounmpo is at a stage of his career where immediate contention carries increasing weight. That context has fueled speculation about contingency planning across the league, even absent any formal trade request.
New York, meanwhile, has quietly emerged as a recurring name in those discussions. ESPN has previously reported that if Antetokounmpo were ever to leave Milwaukee, the Knicks would be considered a preferred destination.
Financial Barriers and the Reality of a Knicks–Bucks Deal
Before any Giannis-related pursuit could materialize, league sources stress that the financial mechanics would need to be addressed. Antetokounmpo is earning $54.1 million this season, while Holiday is making $32.4 million, making salary matching a significant hurdle.
According to the executive, the Knicks’ internal thinking centers on acquiring Holiday first before making any substantive push for Antetokounmpo. In one hypothetical multi-team framework discussed by league observers, Mikal Bridges could be routed to Portland, while Karl-Anthony Towns could land in Milwaukee as part of a larger construction designed to satisfy cap and asset requirements.
Even so, skepticism remains widespread. Rival executives question whether New York’s asset pool — even with draft pick flexibility and movable contracts — would ultimately meet the Bucks’ expected price. Any Giannis deal would require a franchise-altering return, not a package of incremental upgrades.
For now, the concept remains theoretical. But the growing link between Holiday and Antetokounmpo in league conversations underscores how seriously New York is being viewed as a long-term player in any future superstar sweepstakes.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors
- NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Exploring Pathways To Trade For Portland Trail Blazers’ Jrue Holiday
- NBA Rumors: Rival Teams Believe New York Knicks Could Trade Karl-Anthony Towns
- NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Not Currently Having Conversations On Trading Karl-Anthony Towns
- NBA Rumors: ‘It Would Not Stun Me’: New York Knicks Insider Wouldn’t Be Stunned If Karl-Anthony Towns Gets Traded
- NBA Rumors: Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘May Never Appear In A Milwaukee Bucks Uniform Again’
- NBA Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks ‘Most Likely’ To Split In Offseason
