Knicks to Have Serious Competition for Justin, Jrue Holiday (Report)
Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) celebrates with Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks are interested in signing Jrue Holiday and his brother Justin this offseason, but they’re going to have some serious competition.

New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday will command a max contract this summer from whatever team signs him. His brother, Justin, upped his value in a contract year with a career season. The Knicks hope to sign both, but it won’t be easy.

Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated reports that the Dallas Mavericks “have emerged as serious contenders” to sign the brothers.

The Mavericks are just as point guard starved as the Knicks. They are also in competition with New York for draft prospect Frank Ntilikina.

Ian Begley of ESPN New York reported back in May on Dallas’ interest in Jrue. The Knicks won’t be able to offer Jrue as much money as New Orleans, and Dallas would “have to clear some cap space to make a competitive offer.”

The selling point for Justin and Jrue would have to be playing together in New York. We’ll find out how much Justin liked the 2016-17 season.

Per Fischer, the brothers have a strong interest to play together. Justin played with current Mavs forward Harrison Barnes on the Golden State Warriors in 2015.

This isn’t the first sign we’ve had that the brothers have wanted to play together. Justin told Marc Berman of The New York Post back in April that playing with his brother would be “a dream come true.”

Justin played all 82 games last season and averaged 20.0 minutes, 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 steals on a slash line of .433/.355/.825.

Jrue’s numbers stand out more: 32.7 minutes, 15.4 points, 7.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on a slash line of .453/.356/.708.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.