The rumored trade of Derrick Rose for Ricky Rubio makes sense for both the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With rumors swirling around Derrick Rose being traded before the deadline, it appears one likely destination for him is Minnesota, with Ricky Rubio being sent to the New York Knicks. Phil Jackson’s personnel moves have received a lot of fair questioning, but this is one deal he’d be crazy for not pushing through.
Let’s be clear about Rubio. At 26 years old, he’s still got quite a few years ahead of him, but the notion of him becoming a franchise-altering star is probably over. He’s never been a good shooter and shows little hopes of ever learning to become one.
His defensive prowess might be a bit overstated and isn’t good enough to overshadow how simple it is for other teams to defend him. He’s also only played under 330 games, only playing a full season once, since being drafted back in 2009.
Yet, he’s still a great fit for the Knicks while the search for the perfect point guard in a post-Melo centric Knicks takes shape.
Where Rubio excels past Rose is not so much what he does, but what he doesn’t do and that’s take shots away from other players. Rose’s 15.5 shots per game is second only to Anthony’s 19.1 and contributes to the iso-centric minded offense the Knicks desperately need to move away from in the future.
Rose’s individual stats are better than most probably expected and his drives to the basket are still impressive to watch at his age. Though only 28, his injury history makes him seem older.
Rose would fit better in Minnesota, where he can reunite with his former coach, Tom Thibodeau, and draw defenders away from Karl-Anthony Towns. Rubio’s poor shooting hasn’t helped since the way to defend him has been to purposely give him his space.
This wouldn’t hurt the Knicks as much as it does in Minnesota. Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and possibly Willy Hernangomez (which he rightfully should be) on the floor, there are better fitting offensive options for Rubio to work with in New York than there are on the Wolves.
One thing Rubio has always done really well is move the ball. Without being pushed to score, he’d be in a better position to thrive as Rajon Rondo-like point guard who can be a league leader in assists.
One other thing that needs to be stressed in a possible Rose-Rubio deal is that the Knicks’ search for a permanent point guard in the upcoming KP era will continue.
Rubio’s contract would keep him in New York through the end of 2019 and if the Knicks obtain a decent point guard in this year’s draft, they could be ready to be a starter by 2019.
In essence, Rubio would be a serviceable stop-gap solution.
After the PR hit the Knicks have taken over the Oakley situation, as well as Jackson’s embarrassing tweets and the team falling out of playoff position, the Knicks could use a shake-up.
Getting rid of Anthony may not be answer, but at the very least, trimming themselves of Rose and Noah should be a priority.
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If the Knicks can get a serviceable player like Rubio in that process, it would at least be one highlight that fans could appreciate during another difficult season.