3 cheap free agent point guard options Knicks could pursue
By Adam Kester
3. Ricky Rubio
What a sad story it was for Ricky Rubio to go down with an injury last season. The veteran point guard, who has always been a really solid player, took on a new level of leadership last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rubio played in 34 games for Cleveland last year and was instrumental in turning a young franchise that had zero expectations heading into the season into a team that was flirting with the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference before he went down with a season-ending injury.
There wasn’t a player or coach on that Cavs team who wasn’t singing the praises of Rubio and just how important he was for their young roster.
The hope here would be that Rubio could have a similar effect for the Knicks and at a discounted price coming off an injury. It would also be nice to have him on the team as opposed to scoring 37 points on New York like he did last year.
Out of these three options, he would be my personal preference. Rubio’s skillset in the backcourt is something I wholeheartedly believe could transform the Knicks. This is a player who is a “pure” point guard that knows exactly how to get his teammates in scoring position.
New York’s offense is difficult to watch. The Knicks have players who can create for their teammates, but no one who can do so at a consistent and efficient level. Rubio would do wonders for RJ Barrett, for Obi Toppin, for Quickley, for Fournier — he can make high-level reads and process a defense at an elite speed.
He’s not the “quintessential Tom Thibodeau point guard” but really, who cares about that anymore? Coming off an injury is certainly a risk, but Rubio might be worth it if he can help this team not only rack up more wins next season. but help develop their young players by putting them in better opportunities to succeed.
