Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing Ricky Rubio

Dec 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Off-Ball Offense & Scoring Inefficiency

One could argue that Ricky Rubio is essentially a point guard version of Joakim Noah. Noah is a gifted passer, who admittedly doesn’t handle the ball enough to make a true and definitive impact on offense, and a non-factor as a scorer.

Rubio is the type of player who can legitimately run an offense and effectively put his teammates in a position to score, but at what cost?

Rubio is one of the least effective scorers in the NBA. Thus far in 2016-17, he’s shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from 3-point range, which is in line with his career shooting percentages.

Rubio has career shooting percentages of 36.9 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from 3-point range, which is reason enough to be concerned.

Rubio and Derrick Rose would have similar flaws in off-ball situations in the sense that both are non-shooters. Rose is actively working to improve his jump shot, however, and that’s reason to see the 2016-17 season through.

Rubio does more good than bad, but this flaw is one that could cost the Knicks dearly on the offensive end of the floor.