Ricky Rubio (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Knicks are mired in NBA trade rumors primarily because of the Carmelo Anthony saga.
While the star player hogs the headlines, Phil Jackson may already be looking at the future. That future may not include Carmelo Anthony anymore or even Derrick Rose.
Word from Amico Hoops is that the New York Knicks are also players in the Ricky Rubio sweepstakes.
"The Bulls and Knicks have a strong interest in available Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, per multiple sources."
Now that would be an interesting bidding war but at the onset, the edge belongs to the Chicago Bulls as they have more young assets (Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott) or actual veteran frontcourt players (Nikola Mirotic and Thibodeau protégé Taj Gibson).
The Knicks would be hard-pressed to match an offer from Thibodeau's former team. However, Phil Jackson can get creative and while his record as an executive has been spotty, to say the least, he might get to redeem himself now.
Jackson has two Thibodeau regulars: Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. While both players are unlikely to relive their glory days, Rose is having his best season since his MVP run. Of course, he has been ravaged by injuries so that's not really very impressive but he could still be a quality starting point guard.
Also, Rose is an expiring contract. That can be taken both ways: Thibodeau can convince him to sign a cheaper contract. However, Rose has publicly declared he wants prime dollar as mentioned in a piece by Ian Begley on ESPN.
"Some close to Rose have told friends he will seek a max contract this summer. For Rose, that pact would be for five years and nearly $150 million."
Joakim Noah, on the other hand, has been a shell of his former self. It would be difficult for Thibodeau to take on his lengthy contract, unless he truly believes that Noah can revive his tenacity.
There could be a more complex way to acquire Rubio but it's next to impossible. The Knicks could pull the trigger on a Carmelo Anthony trade and convince him to waive his no-trade clause (so much easier said than done). Some of the assets they acquire could be used for the Rubio trade (if they really want him that much). It is expected that Anthony would not have the value of a superstar, but the haul would still be significant.
