NBA Trade Rumors: Is Luke Ridnour Headed To The Big Apple?
Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn certainly isn't shy when it comes to moving players when he sees an opportunity. The Wolves executive has completely revamped the team's lineup, leaving virtually no pieces in place from when he arrived in Minnesota in May of 2009.
This past offseason the team signed point guard Luke Ridnour from the Milwaukee Bucks to accompany guard Sebastian Telfair in filling the void created by injured guard Jonny Flynn, as well as the enigmatic Ricky Rubio whose status with the Wolves continues to be up in the air.
In 28 games this season, Ridnour has averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 assists per game. Averaging under two turnovers per game, Ridnour filled in admirably while Flynn made his way back from offseason injury and has provided additional value.
Reports surfaced early in December that the Knicks and Timberwolves were talking about a trade that would bring Telfair to New York to back up Raymond Felton. A move like this would further solidify Ridnour's place with the Wolves, especially since many have speculated that Flynn will be the odd man out when Rubio finally makes his Wolves debut.
It turns out that the Wolves have been talking to the Knicks, but it now appears that Ridnour would be the one heading to the Big Apple. NBC Sports is reporting that the deal the teams are discussing would send Ridnour to the Knicks in exchange for Anthony Randolph.
Randolph hasn't had many opportunities to break into the Knicks lineup this season, averaging eight minutes on the floor per game while scoring only two points and 2.5 rebounds per appearance. Randolph is a tall (6'11'') and athletic talent that would likely find more minutes with the Wolves than he's been able to get with the Knicks.
It seems that half of the current members of the Timberwolves have been mentioned in trade talks, so speculation of Ridnour's departure can't be too surprising. Let's just hope Kahn is taking the right steps to build a nucleus that's ready to succeed sooner rather than later.
