Knicks Trade Rumors: Ricky Rubio Reportedly a Potential Target for New York

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio is reportedly back on the New York Knicks' list of potential trade targets for the 2017 NBA offseason.

Early Saturday, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reported "some members of the organization" would like the Knicks to seek a deal for Rubio. New York was previously linked to the guard leading up to the February trade deadline in a deal involving Derrick Rose that never got completed.

Begley noted it's possible the sides could pursue a sign-and-trade agreement and that the Timberwolves consider Rose an option in free agency.

In February, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune passed along comments from Rubio, who said the constant trade chatter leading up to the deadline had an impact on him.

"We're professionals, but we're human beings, too," he said. "So we have feelings, but I know this is a business and it has to be like that."

Added Rubio: "Mentally, it's tough, but there are things you can't control. We're playing basketball. There are people who decide where you're going to play. You can't control that. You come here and work hard every day, and that's it."

The 26-year-old Spaniard hasn't taken the NBA by storm as the hype suggested when he made his way stateside in 2011 after the T-Wolves selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft. That said, he's developed into a solid starting point guard.

He averaged 11.1 points, 9.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds during the 2016-17 campaign, and while he continued to struggle with his shot, he did shoot above 40 percent from the field for the first time.

Rubio's player efficiency rating was 20th among point guards, per ESPN.com. Rose's was 19th.

With the potential for a Rubio deal, Knicks president Phil Jackson's open discussions of the team's desire to move Carmelo Anthony and New York's eighth overall pick in this year's draft, the Knicks roster could look a lot different by the start of next season.