While things have not been pretty over the years for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises, things are finally starting to shift in New York and the Knicks could be on the path to success. For the last two decades, the Knicks’ fan base has suffered from poor management and failed leadership from within the organization.

Things looked good at times, as the Knicks made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2010-2013, but they ultimately failed to get any farther than the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After the downfall of Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, the future looked bright once again as Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis quickly became one of the best young players in the NBA.

But, after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in 2018 and after arguments with ownership/management, Porzingis requested a trade and the Knicks granted him his wish, sending him to the Mavericks for virtually nothing valuable in return. The Knicks acquired Dennis Smith Jr, DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks for the All-Star big man. From this trade tho, only Smith Jr. remains on the roster and the draft picks are yet to be used as they are for 2021 and 2023.

Entering this season, there seemed to be a different aura about this organization. GM Scott Perry, new President of Basketball Operations, Leon Rose, and new head coach Tom Thibodeau have seemed to restore some faith in this fanbase and with some young, promising players in R.J. Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, who is having a breakout year, the Knicks surprisingly seem to be heading in the right direction for once.

With no player on this roster over the age of 29, New York is a very young and hungry team and given the energy they bring, could wind up being right in the thick of things in the final month of the season.

Winning now is extremely important for New York as they have tried to lure some big names in free agency to “The Big Apple” over the years, but no superstar player wants to play for a losing franchise. By continuing to win games and bring in high-level role players, the Knicks will definitely be able to land some big name free agents in the near future. 

That is why they must go out and target some experienced, high-level players near the NBA trade deadline. One guy that comes to mind that could be an excellent fit in New York is Ricky Rubio. He was traded to Minnesota in the offseason, but given their struggles early on in the year and the young talent the Knicks could send to Minnesota, he could be a guy that ends up on his third team in the last two years. 

Let’s take a look at a potential trade that would send Ricky Rubio to New York City, reuniting him with his former head coach, Tom Thibodeau.