
When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Providence star Kris Dunn fifth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, the message was clear: Ricky Rubio is not Minnesota’s point guard of the future. Since then, Rubio has been widely assumed to be available. The Timberwolves reportedly discussed swapping Rubio for Pistons’ point guard Reggie Jackson. That deal hasn’t materialized, though. Now, Sam Amico of AmicoHoops reports that the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are interested in acquiring Rubio:
The Bulls and Knicks have a strong interest in available Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, per multiple sources.
Rubio would be questionable at best in regards to a fit with either the Knicks or Bulls. Chicago acquiring him would be absolutely hilarious. Between Rajon Rondo (30.6 percent three-point shooting this season), Michael Carter-Williams (21.9 percent three-point shooting this season), Isaiah Canaan (26.5 percent three-point shooting this season), and Jerian Grant (32.1 percent three-point shooting this season), the Bulls have more than enough point guards who can’t shoot.
Rubio, who is shooting 24.1 percent from beyond the arc this season, wouldn’t provide the Bulls with the outside shooting upgrade that they so desperately need.
For the Knicks, Rubio could maybe be considered an upgrade over Rose, I guess? Neither is a game-changer, and acquiring Rubio won’t swing the needle for the Knicks.