The New York Knicks had an atrocious regular season after the bar was set high with Phil Jackson being hired to be President of Basketball Operations.
From the moment Jackson was hired, it was an uphill battle from making the right coaching hire to re-signing star Small Forward Carmelo Anthony. With Melo locked up, this off-season will be utilized to place a foundation around Anthony for success.
Ricky Rubio’s camp reportedly is pushing for a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and with Minnesota’s Zach LaVine the possible up and coming point guard, they could look to move Rubio this off-season.
One destination that makes sense to me for Rubio is The New York Knicks, and Rubio would fit nicely into Derek Fisher’s triangle offense.
Rubio can run the floor with ease and would be a nice addition where he can be a third scoring option with whatever player the Knicks sign or possibly draft.
As a pass first point guard Rubio, is the type of player that Carmelo Anthony needs, especially in the triangle.
Rubio could also help the Knicks lure Memphis Grizzlies center, and Rubio’s teammate on the Spanish National Team, Marc Gasol.
Even if Gasol is a long shot to leave for New York, adding Rubio makes sense for the Knicks, adding a 24-year-old point guard who has not scratched the surface of his potential yet.
The big question though is what do you give up to get a player like Ricky Rubio?
Minnesota will not give up on Rubio that easily, and with limited talent on the Knicks roster, they may not be able to afford him.
One way is if they trade the rumored “very available” #4 overall pick to acquire a package of Ricky Rubio and say Gorgui Dieng or smaller piece to add depth.
In most mock drafts the Knicks have been rumored to be selecting talented point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, but with Minnesota more than likely adding Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor in the draft, they’ll be deep at the center position and be forced to move Pekovic, Dieng, or Adreian Payne. The easiest piece to move for Minnesota out of all of their big men due to talent, his contract, and age is Dieng.
The Knicks are not one pick away from being a legitimate contender even in a weak Eastern Conference, but adding Ricky Rubio and Gorgui Dieng would be a pretty big splash.
