Knicks don't have knack to land Rubio
June 28, 2009
Ricky Rubio was reportedly in Minnesota this weekend to meet with Wolves GM David Kahn, whose decision to draft the Spanish guard is looking better by the minute.
Mitch Lawrence in Sunday's Daily News reported that the Wolves turned down a deal with the Houston Rockets that would have resulted in Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier headed to Minnesota for Rubio.
If the Wolves are receiving those types of offers—Brooks and Battier were starters on a playoff team - do the Knicks really have much of a chance to get Rubio? Donnie Walsh is offering Wilson Chandler but that's not going to get it down. Walsh originally offered Chandler to Washington to get the fifth pick last week.
Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, is an experienced negotiator who will likely get Rubio to a bigger market. Rubio's father said on Friday that his son could remain in Europe. One report yesterday quoted a "consultant for Rubio's (European-based) agency" as taking credit for suggesting to Rubio's parents that the Knicks is the best team for the 19-year-old point guard.
Turns out that the consultant is none other than Tim Shea, a former Knicks European scout, who is responsible for one of the most infamous first round picks in club history. What the report conveniently failed to mention is that Shea's claim to fame is that he is suggested that the Knicks draft Frederic Weis 10 years ago. Under Shea's watch in New York, the Knicks had two Euros: Weis and the incomparable Mirsad Turkcan.
Now Shea is pushing Rubio? Suddenly, I'm having second thoughts about the kid.
By Frank Isola on June 28, 2009 6:34 PM

Posted by nyk4ever:

I find that Isola article to be funny because the title is misleading. He makes it sound like the Knicks were turned down, when in fact, he's just assuming they don't have enough because the Wolves turned down Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier, which let's be honest isn't that great of a package. If the Knicks offer Chandler, the Wolves will listen, especially with their hole at SG.

T-Wolves execs were rumored to say that it would cost the Knicks not only Chandler but most likely last year #6 pick, Danilo Gallinari and this year's #8 pick in Jordan Hill. They stated no way do they just take back one young asset for Rubio. It is on the T-Wolves blogs. I don't get why they would want Hill but I guess it would be to obtain assets such as draft rights for another trade. I believe those those rumors because of how you rate trade assets. Chandler was #23 pick and it is unlikely that you can view that as the same trade value to obtain a #5 selection only after two years. Gallinari and Hill also have more years on their contract at the rookie scale.

BTW, Brooks and Battier is better than just a Chandler package.

Posted by martin:

Posted by nyk4ever:

I find that Isola article to be funny because the title is misleading. He makes it sound like the Knicks were turned down, when in fact, he's just assuming they don't have enough because the Wolves turned down Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier, which let's be honest isn't that great of a package. If the Knicks offer Chandler, the Wolves will listen, especially with their hole at SG.

Let's push this to the next step. Every GM is scratching their head because Kahn drafted 2 PGs in Rubio and Flynn... and we are to believe rumors about Minn trading Rubio for Shane and Brooks? Flynn-Brooks backcourt? 2 small, speedy guys? I guess you could do a 3 guard rotation with Flynn, Brooks, Shane, but are the Rockets really going to give up a Kobe stopper for an upgrade at PG?

I serious doubt that the Rockets are really looking to trade McGrady as much as people claim. Their defense was great but there were big moments were they missed a scorer like McGrady in that Laker series. What they are hoping by this trade is to free up cap space for Artest signing and put out a lineup like this:

Rubio, McGrady, Artest, Scola and Ming. These guys aren't looking to 2010.

I think in order to acquire Rubio we have to part with Hill and Chandler in a three tam deal.