Knicks Trade Rumors: Potential Derrick Rose Trade Options

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an obvious connection that creates the potential for a trade to be made. Tom Thibodeau coached Derrick Rose for five seasons in Chicago and has since become the head coach and president of basketball operations for the Timberwolves.

With the Timberwolves possessing the trade pieces to potentially pique Phil Jackson’s interest, the New York Knicks could pull the trigger on a trade.

Schematically, it would be tough to justify playing a non-shooter and non-facilitator in Derrick Rose alongside a ball-dominant scorer in Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves would benefit from adding a finisher, however, and Thibodeau has proven capable of getting Rose to facilitate.

This would be a risky move, but it would be hard to blame Thibodeau for taking a one-year gamble on the point guard he spent five years building around.

For the Knicks, Ricky Rubio could be the facilitating point guard who brings stability to the offense. He could also be the elite defender who has the size and defensive consistency to help the Knicks perform with a higher degree of consistency.

Rubio has his flaws—he can’t score from any area of the court—but he also has virtues that would make him a fan favorite and positive influence in New York.

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None of these five trades are guaranteed to transpire, but the New York Knicks have a decision to make with the trade deadline nearing.