Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing Ricky Rubio
Pro: Helping Kristaps Porzingis
The 2016-17 New York Knicks were expected to provide Kristaps Porzingis with an opportunity to play in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Instead, New York is well below .500 and struggling to justify the consistency with which Porzingis is phased out of the offense in key moments.
During the Knicks’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 25, Bill Simmons accurately summarized the issues with the 21-year-old phenom’s surroundings.
I know KP hasn't played well lately but this is such a bad offensive situation for him. He might as well be playing with Marbury + Francis.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2017
Simply put: there aren’t enough players getting Porzingis easy looks at the basket to help build his confidence.
Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose are tremendous scorers who have proven to possess the clutch gene. Both players can help a contender with those very strengths, but New York isn’t yet a contender—or even a postseason-caliber team.
New York is right to be put the ball in the hands of the best players on the floor during crunch time, but Porzingis often goes full possessions without a single touch in the fourth quarter.
Beyond the late-game situations, the Knicks often miss opportunities to get Porzingis a quick two when he cuts to the basket or looks to operate via the pick and roll. He spends most possessions outside of the paint, but New York has to capitalize when he’s attempting to score from close range.
By adding Ricky Rubio to the mix, New York would improve the pick and roll offense that it’s consistently gone away from.
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If Phil Jackson and Jeff Hornacek determine that Rose isn’t facilitating Porzingis’ develoment, then trading for a creator like Rubio could be the proper way to build towards the future.