The New York Knicks trading for Ricky Rubio makes a lot of sense, but the exact anatomy of the trade is complicated. The Knicks have limited pieces to trade, such as Derrick Rose’s expiring contract, and for the first time in recent memory, first round draft picks.
The draft picks are the contentious issue here. Phil Jackson has admirably and understandably loathed the idea of trading picks, especially first rounders, during his tenure as team president.
The very mention of trading any more first-round draft picks has Knicks fans hyperventilating, dizzy, and developing a nervous twitch.
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Fresh in the memory of most fans is maybe the worst trio of terrible trades in NBA history.