There’s another guard who is on the Knicks’ radar though — and he isn’t draft eligible. Some members of the organization would again like to try to pursue Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio in a trade this offseason, sources said. The Knicks were close to completing a deal shortly before the trade deadline centered around Derrick Rose and Rubio. Talks continued until shortly before the deadline.
More on Ricky Rubio to Knicks?
Per league sources with knowledge of the situation, some Knicks decision-makers see trading for Rubio as a viable option this offseason.
Sources near the Knicks situation said it’s also possible the team looks to Rubio as the immediate answer at point guard and swings for the fences in the draft targeting a huge upside player like Jonathan Isaac, especially as the Knicks try to move on from Carmelo Anthony this summer.
One other two-way player to keep an eye on? Ricky Rubio. Some in the organization were hopeful after the trade deadline that they could revisit their attempts to acquire Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the offseason, per sources.
There are members of the organization who also see Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague as free agent targets. At the deadline, some discussed the idea of revisiting trade talks for Minnesota's Ricky Rubio as well.
Marc Stein: At the finish line, league sources say, New York was prepared to trade Derrick Rose for Ricky Rubio straight up. But the Wolves balked.
Marc Stein: On Deadline Day, Minnesota ultimately decided to walk away from the Ricky Rubio-for-Derrick Rose trade, league sources say
Ian Begley: A half hour ago, MIN had been unwilling to give up an additional asset in talks with NYK on a Rose trade, per source. Who blinks first here?
Adrian Wojnarowski: Minnesota remains engaged with several teams on a Ricky Rubio trade, including New York, league sources tell @The Vertical.
Marc Stein: The Knicks and Timberwolves remain engaged in trade talks toward a deal headlined by Derrick Rose and Ricky Rubio, league sources tell ESPN.
Tim Bontemps: Ricky Rubio remains available, with Wolves having talked to Knicks, Pistons and others. After weeks of talks, hard to see him not moving.
Sam Amick: The T-Wolves have continued to shop Ricky Rubio to non-Knicks teams too, even as they've continued to talk with NY about a Derrick Rose deal
Adrian Wojnarowski: Minnesota's Ricky Rubio remains a significant target for the Knicks today, league sources tell @The Vertical.
Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau declined to address that he and his team have held negotiations to trade Rubio to New York in a deal for forthcoming free-agent Derrick Rose or points elsewhere, among other reported discussions that also include reserve forward Shabazz Muhammad.
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
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.
A Rubio-for-Rose swap works under the salary-cap guidelines, as explained by ESPN’s Tom Penn. Some in the Knicks organization are wary of taking back any player who has multiple years remaining on his contract, according to sources familiar with the team’s thinking. That might factor in if Rubio is being offered -- the 26-year-old is under contract for a total of $29 million over the next two seasons -- though others who have been in touch with the Knicks recently came away with the impression that Jackson is a fan of Rubio.
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.
Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are "very interested" in acquiring Ricky Rubio, according to Movistar+ journalist Antoni Daimiel.
Ian Begley: Knicks recently expressed interest in Ricky Rubio, source confirms, but it's unlikely anything happens. NY Post earlier reported the talks.
Rambis said he expects to be notified if anything — even something minor — is on the table. According to a source, Knicks general manager Steve Mills had discussions with Minnesota about point guard Ricky Rubio, whom Rambis coached in his failed run with the Timberwolves and would meet Knicks president Phil Jackson’s preference for taller guards. However, the Knicks are convinced Rubio won’t be dealt.
Minnesota hasn't been actively searching for a trade for point guard Ricky Rubio this week, but that is likely to change this summer, league sources told The Vertical. Minnesota may start canvassing the market for a better shooting point guard to pair with young stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. One NBA coach who has long been enamored with Rubio, league sources said: Milwaukee's Jason Kidd. The New York Knicks' desire to find a point guard could lead them to Rubio, too.
Jason Snyder: Rumor: Timberwolves making Ricky Rubio available at trade deadline http://wp.me/p14QT0-3e3L really? - Darren Wolfson: Reads like a leak from Rubio camp. But I've said many times that the Wolves aren't married to him. But they're not shopping.
Darren Wolfson: Reads like a leak from Rubio camp. But are Wolves married to him like others? No. Flip never was. So you listen. Nothing close.
