Rubio's defense will likely get worse if he comes here because it feels like everyone's defense has gotten worse here this year. The problems on defense are team wide and perhaps cultural in nature.

Also a big part of the Knicks struggles have happened because they have had to integrate too many new players (and coaches) all at once, several of whom were rookies. Swapping players mid season will likely exacerbate that issue no matter who you bring in. The truth is this season is probably lost and it's probably time to start thinking more long term.

Going backwards, would this team have been better if they kept Grant and Lopez? No one really knows but that roster wasn't going to win a whole lot either. Lopez wasn't right for the pace and space offense the Knicks were going for when they hired Jeff Hornacek. Grant and Lopez were much easier to trade though and they wouldn't be in this position they are in now where they are basically stuck with two players who don't fit. Anyway, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.