Rubio would fit in well in the Knicks’ locker room. Rookie center Willy Hernangomez, who played with Rubio on the Spanish Olympic Team in August, went to Mexico with his brother and hung out with Rubio over All-Star Weekend. Hernangomez played in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday in New Orleans before departing for Mexico.
More on Derrick Rose to Timberwolves?
With Carmelo Anthony likely to stick for all the commotion, the Knicks have shifted part of their focus on what assets they can net for Derrick Rose. Sources have confirmed Tom Thibodeau’s Wolves approached the Knicks about Rose, who won his 2011 MVP Award with Thibodeau at the Chicago helm. An ESPN report stated recently that a few other clubs also have inquired about Rose.
Sources have told The Post that Thibodeau, since November, doesn’t believe in Rubio as his future point guard despite a long-term contract. The Knicks had interest in Rubio, much more of a playmaker than Rose, at last year’s trading deadline. Ever since Rubio’s was drafted in 2009 the Knicks have had a fascination with him because of their Barcelona-based European scout, Kevin Wilson.
Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio started following Kristaps Porzingis on Twitter on Wednesday. Whether they become teammates to join a growing legion of Europeans in the Knicks’ locker room likely won’t be answered until the trade deadline at 3 p.m. Thursday
Recent attention centered around Rose, who has been the object of affection for several teams, including — one league source confirmed — Minnesota, where Tom Thibodeau, his former Bulls coach, is both coach and president of basketball operations. “I haven’t heard anything about it until I came back here,” Rose said. “Like I said before I left, you never know what’s going to happen. You’ve got to be a professional about it. And whatever it is, I’ll be prepared.”
Brian Windhorst: One of the most likely players to be traded between now and Thursday afternoon is Ricky Rubio. And what the Knicks have been talking to the Wolves about is a Ricky Rubio for Derrick Rose swap. But it’s not only the Knicks that are an option here.
Brian Windhorst: It’s not because the Timberwolves see Derrick Rose as their point guard of the future. It’s because they’re clearing space for Kris Dunn going forward. Tom Thibodeau loves Kris Dunn.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached out to the New York Knicks recently to discuss potential trades for N.Y. point guard Derrick Rose, sources told ESPN. Rose, a free agent this summer, played for seven seasons under current Timberwolves and ex-Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. It is unclear what Minnesota would offer in a potential trade for Rose.
