Knicks Still Covet Rubio

While Ricky Rubio continues to play overseas for FC Barcelona, the Knicks continue to keep their eye on him. Rubio was drafted 5th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft. They owned the 6th pick as well, and used that to select another point guard, Jonny Flynn. They also had the 18th pick, in which they used to select point guard Tywon Lawson. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Rubio decided to go back to Spain instead of coming to the NBA to play. That may have been because of the lack of interest to play in Minnesota, or because the money he would've had to pay the club he was on to leave was too much. However, the Knicks have international scout Kevin Wilson, who lives in Barcelona, taking a look at Rubio.

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn used to work under Knicks president Donnie Walsh with the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks will definitely need a point guard down the road, as Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson will be free agents after the season. They are both not expected to be retained, in order to sign multiple quality free agents, starting with Lebron James. Walsh was told by Kahn that the Timberwolves were not looking to trade Rubio, but that could change.

The Knicks have to look at Rubio very carefully. Rubio has been the topic of discussion since before the draft, but he's only 19 years old and he has to prove himself overseas a little more before he can be trusted at the NBA level. It is wise for the Knicks to covet him though, because the Knicks won't have a point guard if they get Lebron James and another marquee free agent. They should also look to draft a point guard, with the potential loss of Duhon and Robinson.