As the NBA trade deadline creeps closer, the Knicks — 20-26 heading into play on Jan. 25 — must decide which route to go in trade talks. With the entire league watching to see if Carmelo Anthony actually moves in a blockbuster, New York could decide to add to its roster for a push to the playoffs.
One name available name connected to New York in recent rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.
Last week, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that Minnesota was “actively shopping” Rubio on the open market this trade deadline season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are actively shopping point guard Ricky Rubio in trade proposals, league sources told The Vertical. The Timberwolves have attached Rubio to multiple offers with Shabazz Muhammad to several teams around the NBA, league sources said. Minnesota has been seeking something of a “bridge” guard in return, a player capable of starting in the short term, but who’ll ultimately settle into a backup role and give way to rookie Kris Dunn to become the long-term starter, league sources said.
The latest NBA trade rumor around the Knicks: Team president Phil Jackson’s mind games with Carmelo Anthony.
That was followed by Sam Amico reporting that the Knicks and Bulls were two teams with “strong interest” in Rubio.
Rubio, 26, is averaging 7.9 points and 8.0 assists per game this season. Since entering the league in 2011, the Spanish guard has averaged 8.3 assists per game. He is owed $13.5M this season, and over $29M through 2019.
If starting point guard Derrick Rose departs in free agency, acquiring Rubio now could give the Knicks a replacement on the roster.
Source: www.nj.com