Knicks after Rubio through Lee sign-and-trade?

[Rastapopoulos]

From DraftExpress:

Another rumor that is making the rounds is that Oklahoma City may be working on a deal with the New York Knicks that would involve drafting Rubio and then shipping him to the Knicks in July in a sign and trade for David Lee. The tricky part would be coming to terms with Lee on an appropriate contract figure before the pick is made, since technically they are not allowed to negotiate, and Lee likely does not yet know what his true value on the open market. He is reportedly looking for around 11 million dollars a year.

Still, considering his restricted status, and the fact that there are precious few teams with substantial cap space this summer, Oklahoma City could be a very attractive destination for Lee if his agent can reach a handshake agreement with their front office. It seems like the Thunder definitely have eyes for him. The only question is whether they are willing to part with Rubio to make that happen.

In this scenario, the Knicks would likely select Mike D’Antoni’s favorite, Jordan Hill, with the #8 pick.

Meanwhile, Memphis is supposedly set on Thabeet (Rick Bucher's reporting that too):

Virtually every team we’re speaking to right now has Hasheem Thabeet slated to be picked second by the Grizzlies. Memphis’ entire front-office met with owner Michael Heisley yesterday at his house to go through all the various possibilities for tomorrow night’s draft, and came to the conclusion that barring a trade, they will select Thabeet with the #2 pick.

Jesus, can't we offer something better to Memphis to get Rubio? It sounds like Memphis is just being greedy: they wanted the #3 and Sefolosha from OKC, but OKC turned them down, and they want both the #5 and #6 from Minny, but Minny says no.

 

[BrianFromWA]

If MEM wants Thabeet, more power to them. Dealing with Petrie seems more likely to me.

OKC has the horses (high pick, cap space, cheap young players) to make moves, and Presti behind the wheel scares me a bit. Missing out on Rubio AND Lee would hurt my feelings.

 

[axs88]

Jesus, can't we offer something better to Memphis to get Rubio? It sounds like Memphis is just being greedy: they wanted the #3 and Sefolosha from OKC, but OKC turned them down, and they want both the #5 and #6 from Minny, but Minny says no.

Chad Ford the other they said that the worst thing about the Gasol trade is that because of the backlash afterwards, now Wallace refuses to do any deals where he doesn't think he's winning it in a landslide. Makes sense.

 

[number 10]

I love how apparently the Knicks have all this leverage with David Lee, when other teams that have quality free agents (Philly with Andre Miller, for example) don't seem to have a chance to S&T him for something good. Don't Memphis and the "Sonics" both have enough cap space to sign Lee on their own?

 

[RoyToy]

I wish Rubio would go to Memphis so I would never have to hear his name again.

 

[bbc23]

Chad Ford the other they said that the worst thing about the Gasol trade is that because of the backlash afterwards, now Wallace refuses to do any deals where he doesn't think he's winning it in a landslide. Makes sense.

yay I'm not the only one who listens to Simmons podcasts

 

[MAS RipCity]

good, i hope OKC uses its lotto pick on David Lee, them with Harden would be nuts. Lee is nice, but doesn't instill fear in the hearts of Blazer fans.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I wish Rubio would go to Memphis so I would never have to hear his name again.

At least until they trade him to the Lakers or Celtics!

 

[LittleAlex]

At least until they trade him to the Lakers or Celtics!

Yet one more reason for the NBA's unofficial farm team to not get any players worth a shit ever again.