Ricky Rubio and Derrick Rose seemingly just can’t avoid each other. In the days before the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline, whispers circulated that the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks could make a deal to swap the veteran point guards. While that never transpired, the two players remain linked when factoring in some interesting reporting in late May.
First, word surfaced that Rubio could still be a target for the Knicks via trade, as he would address a reported desire for two-way contributors. Now, Ian Begley of ESPN reports that there could be interest on the Minnesota side when it comes to signing Rose in free agency.
Because Rubio remains under contract for the Wolves, this would be an interesting scenario. The brilliant passing point guard would almost certainly have trade value on a (very) reasonable contract but, in the same breath, Minnesota has leaned heavily on his distribution skills and defensive aptitude under Tom Thibodeau. On the flip side, Rose would bring another offensive creator and he famously enjoyed his All-Star seasons under Thibodeau’s direction in Chicago.
Derrick Rose will be 29 years old before the start of the 2017-2018 season and, at this point, there is real uncertainty as to the type of contributor he can be after a season-ending knee injury. If everything checks out, though, it could make sense that an old friend in Thibodeau (who also controls player personnel) could be interested in reunion. What that means for Rubio’s future, remains to be seen.
