RealGM Basketball Wiretap

29 January 2026

• Knicks Interested In Jrue Holiday; Have Gauged Market For Karl-Anthony Towns

  The New Yorks Knicks are interested in acquiring Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  Holiday, who is in the second year of a four-year, $134 million contract, has appeared in 18 games this season.

  The Knicks are interested in pairing Holiday with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt, along with the potential that adding Holiday would make the team even more attractive to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  Teams around the league also believe that the Knicks are open to "some degree" in trading Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks have reportedly gauged teams for Towns' value on the trade market despite denying that they have held discussions involving the center.

  James Dolan previously ruled out making any major moves before the deadline.

  Instead, the Knicks are focused on making smaller deals involving Guerschon Yabusele's $5.5 million salary.

• Deni Avdija Opens Up About Path To Breakout Season

  Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is averaging 26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game this season, joining Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic as the only players posting 25-7-6 averages. The 25-year-old Israeli has emerged as a frontrunner for Most Improved Player and finished fifth in Western Conference All-Star fan voting with over 2.2 million votes.

  Avdija attributes his breakout to empowerment from former coach Chauncey Billups, chemistry with teammates who celebrate his success, and primarily the mental toughness forged during his teenage years with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

  "I think I'm able to get through stuff without complaining or feeling sorry for myself," Avdija said. "I've learned I can't have any excuses. But I think from a young age, I've always had to figure it out on my own. And I think that has made me tough."

  Playing alongside grown men as a teenager, Avdija endured relentless criticism from coaches and teammates that often left him emotionally drained. The constant pressure built resilience he now relies upon.

  "It all made me tough - like, really, really tough," Avdija said. "You know how you run a lot and your feet start to get thick skin on them? It was like that."

  His transformation accelerated after a December 2024 meeting with Billups, who simplified his role by encouraging him to push pace in transition after securing rebounds. Avdija averaged 24.9 points over the final two months of last season.

  This year's emergence came partly by necessity. Injuries to point guards Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday forced interim coach Tiago Splitter to hand Avdija primary ballhandling responsibilities, a position he previously played in Israel's youth system.

  "People have to understand: He is just carrying us," Splitter said. "And he's doing it playing a different position."

  Avdija ranks second in the NBA in free throws made with 325, sixth in points, and eighth in assists. He has scored 20 or more points 34 times, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (42), Tyrese Maxey (36), and Jaylen Brown (34). The Blazers sit ninth in the Western Conference at 22-22.

  His production comes on one of the league's most team-friendly contracts. Avdija is in the second year of a four-year, $55 million deal that declines annually. He earns $14.4 million this season, $13.1 million next year, and $11.8 million in 2027-28.

  "Do I regret the contract? No. It gave me a lot of calmness, because I know I'm secure," Avdija said. "That was my goal. I told my agent, and he was like, 'I think you should sign for less years,' but I was like, 'If I outplay my contract, I outplay my contract. We will deal with that later.' I'm not going to worry about $10 million more or $20 million less. This is what I got, and I'm going to say thank you and not take it for granted. It's still a lot of money."

  Damian Lillard, sidelined this season with an Achilles injury, called Avdija essential to Portland's future and a perfect complement to his game.

  "I think he is a must-have player in the league right now," Lillard said. "He puts pressure on the rim, draws fouls, can make 3s, has size, speed."

  Avdija has become a national phenomenon in Israel, where games attract viewership even when Portland tips off at 5 a.m. local time. Former coach Oded Shalom believes Avdija has become Israel's greatest athlete in history.

• Jrue Holiday To Return Sunday; Kris Murray Out Indefinitely

  The Portland Trail Blazers are welcoming one key player back to the lineup on Sunday, while another one will be out indefinitely. Jrue Holiday is expected to return for the Blazers on Sunday vs the New York Knicks. Kris Murray was ruled out indefinitely due to a lumbar strain in his back.

  Holiday is returning from a calf strain that cost him nearly two months of action. Portland will benefit from having the veteran point guard in the lineup. In recent weeks, Tiago Splitter has had to piece together ballhandling duties, with Deni Avdija taking on the lead playmaking role. Rookie two-way player Caleb Love has been backing up Avdija. Holiday's return should help with extra ballhandling, playmaking, defense and shooting in the backcourt.

  Murray has recently started in place Jerami Grant who is dealing with Achilles' tendonitis. The third-year forward has averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

  Portland is still without Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley on long-term injuries, in addition to Grant and now Murray. Damian Lillard is out for the season as he rehabs from a torn Achilles' tendon. Robert Williams III has been in and out of the lineup, as the team manages chronic knee issues for the big man.

• Blazers, Pelicans, Wizards Linked With Jonathan Kuminga

  Jonathan Kuminga is drawing interest from the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Washington Wizards, sources told Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo! Sports.

  Kuminga has previously been linked with several teams, including the Bulls, Kings, Suns, and Mavs.

  Steve Kerr, who removed Kuminga from the rotation, acknowledged that the Warriors could trade the forward last month.

  The Warriors are reportedly not in active trade discussions for Anthony Davis, though are expected to pursue Michael Porter Jr.

  O'Connor adds that the Nets are not interested in adding Kuminga.

• Deni Avdija, Tyrese Maxey Named NBA's Players Of Week 11

  Deni Avdija and Tyrese Maxey have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 11.

  Avdija averaged 26.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists as the Portland Trail Blazers went 3-1.

  Maxey averaged 34.7 points and 8.7 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers went 3-0.

• Scoot Henderson Starts Non-Contact, On-Court Work; Will Be Re-Evaluated In 2 Weeks

  The Portland Trail Blazers gave injury updates for Jrue Holiday, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, and Scoot Henderson on Thursday.

  Holiday, who is recovering from a calf strain, is ramping up on-court basketball activities.

  Thybulle is also ramping up his on-court work as he recovers from thumb surgery, though he is also battling right knee tendinopathy.

  There is no timetable for Holiday or Thybulle.

  Henderson is starting non-contact, on-court basketball work as he recovers from a left hamstring injury. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

  Grant is day-to-day with left Achilles tendonitis.

• Damian Lillard Looking Forward To Next Season With Rehab 'Going Great'

  Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard recently joined Allie Clifton on an episode of the Road Trippin' Show. Lillard gave some insight into where he's at with his rehab from his torn Achilles' tendon and how he's looking forward to next season.

  "It's going great," Lillard said about his rehab process. "I think it's just one of those injuries where you've got to take your time-you know, it takes what it takes. The first couple of weeks to maybe two or three months is kind of frustrating because you're so limited. But with patience, giving yourself grace, and doing the things necessary to continue progressing, you get to a point where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

  The Blazers star said he's happy to have taken the approach of giving himself the year to get back to normal. Lillard said that approach has him excited for next season with Portland.

  "I feel great about it-even better now than I did when I made that decision. Just getting further along and seeing that everything is coming back. I think that's the number one concern: 'How am I going to move after this?' So, getting everything back and just getting to the point where I have to get used to unpredictable movements, a little bit of contact, picking up the pace more and more, being up in the air, landing, not thinking about it too much, stuff like that," Lillard said.

  "Now that I've gotten to that point, I feel better about the decision to give myself the maximum amount of time. Also, looking at our team and the type of growth that we've had, I know if I'm able to do this and come correct, we'll have a great shot next season."

• Jrue Holiday Appreciated Brad Stevens' Transparency Before Trade From Celtics To Blazers

  Jrue Holiday expressed gratitude Sunday for how Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens handled his offseason trade to Portland. Stevens alerted Holiday early in the offseason that a trade was possible, providing advance warning before the deal materialized in June.

  The Celtics sent Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons as part of a salary-cap driven restructuring. Boston also traded Kristaps Porzingis and lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency to get under the NBA's second apron.

  "Brad communicated that (a trade was possible), and I appreciate him for it - that it was a possibility," Holiday said. "He even said that it might not happen; we don't know. So, just the fact that... I mean, Brad being Brad, but him having hard conversations and being able to say something like that, I respect him."

  Holiday said he recognized the Celtics would need significant roster changes after losing to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. The team's championship core disbanded quickly following Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles.

  Portland had previously acquired Holiday in 2023, but he requested a trade to a contender. The Blazers respected his wishes and dealt him to Boston. This time, Portland acquired Holiday to keep him long-term.

  "I was surprised because I didn't think it was an option," Holiday said. "But again, them circling back to come get me, meaning they wanted me, and I loved that."

  Holiday has played just 12 games this season due to a calf injury. When healthy, he has averaged 16.7 points, 8.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in a prominent role.

  "I think you're never really surprised by anything much anymore," Holiday said. "So, I wouldn't say I was surprised, but also just it's a part of it. It's a part of this life."

• Warriors Looking For Size, Athleticism In Trades; Interested In Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton, Robert Williams

  The Golden State Warriors are looking to add "size and athleticism" in the trade market, according to Chris Haynes.

  "They are looking for size and athleticism. You look at the Warriors - rebounding and block shots, they're in the bottom half of the league. And points in the paint, they are dead last. So they are looking for an athletic center," said Haynes on NBA on Prime.

  Haynes then listed three targets for the Warriors, including the Mavs' Daniel Gafford, the Nets' Nic Claxton, and the Blazers' Robert Williams.

  "Those are three names who are on the Golden State Warriors' list of targets, to try to bring in a rim-running, block-shot defender. I was told they are really serious and they are trying to do everything they can to try to get the team back to being of the caliber of a championship contending-type," added Haynes.

  The Mavs are reportedly open to trading Gafford, with the Pacers registering interest.

  With the Warriors 13-15, Steph Curry admitted that the Warriors are "not a good team right now."

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