The Knicks have not given up hope on Ricky Rubio and are still trying to interview the 18-year-old Spanish point guard phenom this week before Thursday’s NBA Draft, according to a source. Rubio will be in New York for the draft but hasn’t worked out for teams.
Rubio visited Sacramento, but did not work out.
Rumors are circulating that Rubio could fall because of the complexity of his $6 million buyout and the Kings are no lock to take him at No. 4. Rubio has sued his Spanish club and a court hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. A Spanish source said he would not be surprised if Rubio starts the preseason in Spain.
If the Kings pass, Rubio, some people in the league predict, could fall as low as eight to the Knicks, who are trying to trade up for Stephen Curry or the Spaniard.
Agent Dan Fegan has dissuaded teams such as Memphis (No. 2) and Oklahoma City (No. 3) from taking Rubio, who wants to play for a big market team.
Curry, Memphis’ Tyreke Evans and UCLA’s Jrue Holiday are the three point guards the Knicks had targeted at No. 8, but Curry and Evans could well be gone. Evans may be taken in the sixth spot by Minnesota, and Curry at No. 7 to Golden State. As already reported by The Post, Holiday will work out for a second time with the Knicks today as their third PG choice. If he falls, Arizona power forward Jordan Hill is also in consideration.
The Knicks have also explored buying a second first-round pick late in the round since they have no 2010 first-rounder. In an interview with Indiana radio, Knicks president Donnie Walsh, who meets the media today, said: “You can get a good player well into the end of the first round.”