Fresh #New York Knicks trade rumors again link the team to point guard #Ricky Rubio. Could the Knicks acquire Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA offseason? It certainly seems possible, as the Knicks need to add a point guard and the Wolves are intent on dealing him before the 2017-18 NBA season begins. This is a scenario that has been explored by NBA analysts before this point, especially after prior negotiations leaked to the media.
On paper, having Rubio on the Knicks makes a lot of sense. The roster could use a point guard that has a "pass first" mentality and Rubio certainly fits that mold.
If they end up keeping Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis on the roster, the New York Knicks would benefit greatly by having someone like Ricky Rubio at the point guard position. Will Knicks team president Phil Jackson finally pull the trigger on a deal?
How much would it cost the Knicks to trade for Rubio?
Ricky Rubio makes $14.1 million next year and then $14.8 million the following season. That isn't too expensive for a starting point guard, especially if he can average a double-double on a nightly basis. It wouldn't be a stretch to state that Rubio could average 10 points and 10 assists a game for the New York Knicks, but the team would certainly have to make sure that they add the right players as a supporting cast.
Last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio averaged 11.1 points, 9.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He was also only playing 32.9 minutes a night, a number which could be increased if the New Yok Knicks needed more time from him at the point guard position. If Rubio averaged closer to 37 or 38 minutes a night, he might even be capable of putting up All-Star numbers in the Eastern Conference.
With the Wolves looking to cut salary, he has become expendable to the franchise.
Would the New York Knicks be a good team with Ricky Rubio?
It's hard to predict which teams are going to make the NBA Playoffs each season, but a roster with Ricky Rubio, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Frank Ntilikina appears good enough on paper to qualify for the postseason.
It is for that reason that these New York Knicks trade rumors might make a lot of sense for the franchise, even if the team has to absorb all of Rubio's salary for the next two NBA seasons.
It's really up to Phil Jackson whether or not the Knicks are ready to make a huge splash during the NBA offseason. Prior suggestions revealed that Jackson wants to deal Carmelo Anthony as soon as possible, likely forcing the team into a rebuilding mode. Could these latest NBA trade rumors suggest that the Knicks would look at Ricky Rubio to lead a team of international players for the next few seasons? It certainly makes these fresh New York Knicks trade rumors even more exciting for fans.
