Another day and another trade rumor involving Ricky Rubio, this one linking him to the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls.
NBA reporter Sam Amico’s sources tell him that “the Bulls and Knicks have a strong interest in available Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.”
What the Knicks and Bulls could send the Wolves in return is the million dollar question.
Chicago is actively shopping point guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, but neither makes sense for Minnesota. They don’t need Rondo and Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau compared Nemanja Bjelica to Mirotic before the season.
Thibodeau knows the Bulls well, however, having coached them for five years. Jimmy Butler’s name is sure to pop up like it did before the NBA Draft, when reports said the Bulls wouldn’t even considering dealing Butler unless Andrew Wiggins was included.
Rubio makes sense for the Knicks and Bulls as a long-term solution at point guard, Hoops Rumors notes.
“This move would seem funky now, but in the long run, it could make the Knicks a contender during Porzingis’ prime,” according to DailyKnicks.com.
Minnesota and Detroit were engaged in trade talks before Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy ended that speculation.
Rubio missed Sunday’s win over the Nuggets after the death of his grandmother. In his absence, rookie Kris Dunn nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and a block.
