Report: Knicks targeting Rubio ahead of trade deadline

The New York Knicks may be looking to shuffle the ranks at point guard for the umpteenth time.

New York has its sights set on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio ahead of the trade deadline, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

As it happens, the Timberwolves are rumored to be interested in Knicks guard Derrick Rose for a reunion with Tom Thibodeau. Rose is on an expiring contract whereas Rubio is on the books for another two years and $30 million.

The Knicks want an additional asset along with Rubio in any trade for Rose, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

Rose excels where Rubio struggles and vice versa. Rubio is a world-class distributor who's averaged over eight assists in five of his six seasons since coming over from Spain, and he's a clever defender but he can't score. Rose doesn't pass much nor defend, but he can get his own shot and reliably serve as the first option for the offense.