Rubio
Rubio is not going to "fall" to the Knicks picking at the 8 spot. He might well go at the 2 spot, so trading up to 3, 4 or 5 will not guarantee his selection. And trading up to 4 or 5 would not even guarantee either Rubio or Curry.
Someone quite sensibly suggested that Memphis would be taking a great risk in picking Rubio at #2, because of his apparent disinterest in playing for Memphis and a resultant loss of leverage in trading his rights post draft.
If some other team, Minnesota, for example, trades for the pick, we are not likely to see Rubio at least until he becomes a free agent several years down the road. If Memphis keeps the pick and drafts Rubio, it is likely to offer his rights to the highest bidder. Once sign and trades for Lee and Nate become trade assets, we can be in the bidding. Who we pick at the 8 spot will be important.
If Memphis were to keep Rubio, i.e., they are able to sign him, then perhaps we can work a deal for Conley.
If Rubio is available at #3 and the Thunder take him, I think it less likely that we can make a trade. They have two expiring contracts in Watson and Atkins totalling, in combination, about $10M. Cutino's equivalent contract -- but 80% insured -- would save them about $8M. But they would also have to like what we get at #8.
If Rubio is still there at #4 for the Kings, as New NewYork suggested, we could absorb Kenny Thomas's expiring contract along with an 8th pick-- Holiday?-- that is attractive to Sacramento.
I do not see Rubio going past #4, but if he reaches #5 and Washington, I think we would have to give up.
In any event, Rubio needs the income from something like the 2 spot to help take care of his buy-out obligations.