The New York Knicks’ superstar tandem of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will aim for an NBA Finals run in 2025-26, and the pair of dynamic scorers will have a solid cast of supporting pieces behind them.
New York’s bench unit has been revamped after the franchise’s acquisitions of 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and skilled frontcourt presence Guerschon Yabusele this summer, but more work is left to be done.
In fact, one NBA writer has suggested that the Knicks could add another veteran to round out their wing rotation in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a former first-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
“The Knicks still have some open roster spots to work with and one of them could be used on former first-round pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson,” New York Knicks on SI’s Jeremy Brener wrote Tuesday.
“After playing with Toronto (Raptors) and Portland (Trail Blazers) for a year apiece, he has been fighting overseas in Turkey, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to prove that he belongs back in the NBA.”
“Perhaps the Knicks could be the team that gives him a shot.”
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Though he hasn’t touched an NBA court since the 2020-21 campaign as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, Hollis-Jefferson’s post-NBA career overseas has driven his stock through the roof and effectively created an opportunity for a return to the Association.
The 30-year-old combo-forward averaged 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds over the course of his first six NBA seasons, but he was able to shine in an expanded role for Beşiktaş of Turkey’s Basketbol Süper Ligi in 2022.
In 22 contests for Beşiktaş, the forward contributed 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals while sporting a 48.6% field goal percentage.
Hollis-Jefferson’s scoring productivity would then explode as a member of Jordan’s FIBA World Cup roster in 2023, as he averaged a stunning 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals spanning his three appearances.
The experienced wing proved to be a fantastic option on the international stage, and it could be enough for the Knicks to consider pairing him alongside Brunson and Towns in spot minutes as an energetic and versatile role player.
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