1:42pm: The talks between the Knicks and Wolves have “stalled significantly” with the deadline less than 20 minutes away, per Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link).
11:40am: The Knicks and Wolves remain engaged in discussions on a potential deal headlined by Rubio and Rose, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein (Twitter link).
8:35am: Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio continues to be a “significant” trade target for the Knicks today, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (via Twitter). We’ve heard in recent days that the two teams have discussed multiple variations of a deal involving Rubio and New York point guard Derrick Rose.
There had been some skepticism about the Knicks’ ability to trade Rose this week, since he has a $21MM+ expiring salary and some members of the organization were believed to be reluctant to take long-term salary back for him. However, as Marc Berman of The New York Post has noted, the Knicks have had interest in Rubio for several years, so it’s possible that he’s a player for whom the team would sacrifice summer cap room.
Because the Wolves are far below the cap, the team could trade Rubio straight up for Rose, despite a gap of nearly $8MM between their 2016/17 salaries. For Minnesota, such a move would allow the club to reach the salary floor this season and create some cap flexibility going forward. Tom Thibodeau‘s history with Rose may also hold some appeal if the Wolves view the former MVP as more than a rental.
Still, if the two sides can get something done, it may not just be a one-for-one swap. The Knicks are said to have some interest in Wolves forward Nemanja Bjelica as well, and ESPN’s Marc Stein tweets that New York’s desire to get another piece in the deal has been a sticking point so far.
As a Knicks fan, it looks like they are on the right path to tanking! It’s too bad that upper management thinks that this is the last step in matching the superstar prowess of the Cavaliers and Warriors. Maybe the Knicks can make it in 2020 if they clean the house besides Porzingis and Hernangomez
Don’t hold your breath. I’m disappointed as you are but it seems Phil will be seeing out his contract at least. Maybe Dolan even offers him an extension so Knicks bottom out Nets style.
Due to the damage the management has done to the image of the club, we shouldn’t be captivated with cap space. Nobody will come to NYC right now. I’m not a huge fan of Rubio’s game, but I would trade for him. Nobody else is gonna come. To hell with cap space, we can’t use it anyway.
Good job not moving rose for Rubio unless Minnesota offered a first round pick, rose has an expiring contract Rubio on the other hand is under contract for a few more years
Rubio is also cheaper and has contract remaining. Rose is likely to leave NY for nothing.