The Minnesota Timberwolves may look at a Ricky Rubio trade this year after signing Andre Miller, as the NY Knicks are reportedly interested in the point guard and they could trade Jose Calderon to get a deal done and this comes as the Wolves have continued to shop a trade for former number one overall pick Anthony Bennett this summer.
The Knicks are reportedly looking at making another major move before the summer is over, as the team has interest in Rubio and Jamal Crawford on the trade market. According to Fox Sports, a report from Gigantes has the Knicks interested in Rubio and while a deal is not close, the report says that Phil Jackson would like some better options at point guard over José Calderon, Langston Galloway and rookie Jerian Grant. The Wolves are also reportedly shopping Anthony Bennett, as Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press reports that the Wolves have pushed a deal for the former top overall pick.
The Knicks reportedly are looking at Crawford and Frank Isola at the Daily News reports that if a deal happened, Jose Calderon is the player the Knicks would consider trading. Although Ian Begley at ESPN New York reports that a Calder trade is not "imminent," Calderon hinted on social media that the Wolves and the Clippers would be interested in a deal for him. Calderon is a good veteran option, but the Knicks may want to try and upgrade before the season starts or during the regular season by making a deal.
The report from Gigantes says that a trade "seems unlikely in this moment," but there is always a chance something could happen. Rubio has not been able to stay consistent and after the team signed Andre Miller to join Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones on the roster, the Wolves could consider making a move. Rubio dealt with injuries again last season and averaged 10 points and 8.8 assists per game and if the Knicks did make a deal, it likely would take more than just Calderon to get a trade done.
Rubio is signed into 2019 and while no one will argue that Calderon is better than Rubio, the situation could be better for the Wolves moving forward. Rubio is signed into the 2018 season and he has not been able to stay healthy on a consistent basis and moving him would also move his contract. Calderon is a bit expensive at over $7 million, but he has only one year left on his deal after this and that would get off the books before Rubio if the Wolves want to make some space.
Bennett was acquired in the Kevin Love deal along with Andrew Wiggins and while Wiggins is a future star after winning rookie of the year, Bennett has so far been a bust. Bennett is making over $5 million this season and he has a $7 million option for next year and that is because he was a number one overall pick. That amount of money makes him tougher to trade and he comes in after scoring just 5.7 points per game for the Wolves in 57 games.
Check here for more on the interest in Rubio from the Knicks, more on Calderon getting traded and more on Anthony Bennett as a trade target.