Here we go again, despite the Timberwolves’ season ending over 50 days ago, the Ricky Rubio trade rumors have not stopped.
On Saturday morning, Ian Bagley of ESPN.com reported the Knicks are pursuing Rubio in a trade for this upcoming offseason. Bagley said league sources with knowledge of the situation see Minnesota’s starting point guard as a viable option for New York this offseason.
Both the Knicks and Wolves were close to a trade in February that would have sent Rubio to New York and former MVP Derrick Rose to Minnesota.
Rose is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Last month, ESPN reported the Timberwolves are interested in acquiring Rose via free agency.
Free agency technically doesn’t begin until July 1, so it’s possible that the two could work out a sign-and-trade before then. However, Bagley said it’s unclear at this very moment who New York would consider parting with to acquire Rubio.
Rubio posted career highs last season in points, field goal percentage, assists and free throw percentage – while Rose played for current Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau for five years in Chicago.
After suffering two significant knee injuries, Rose has struggled to regain the form that earned him MVP honors but last season he shot 47 percent (18 points per game) from the floor which is the second-best figure of his career.
