The potential of trading point guard Ricky Rubio has come up often for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last year. Having drafted Kris Dunn, a point guard, with the fifth overall pick in the draft this past June, that potential might still have some legs.
Rubio just finished up at the Rio Olympics, winning a bronze medal with Spain. He spoke on what it means for him going into the season with the newest member of his backcourt in Dunn, via AP:
“Really it’s a challenge. When a young guy like him who has a lot of potential comes, I think we can really play together,” Rubio told The Associated Press. “But if we don’t (share the floor often), I can really help him.”
Dunn makes for another young talent for Minnesota’s guard core. Rubio and Zach LaVine seemingly have the starting backcourt locked down, giving Dunn an opportunity to be a steady backup. The luxury with Dunn is that the does have combo guard abilities. He can be plugged at the one or two, and he can be a scoring threat at either position.
Depending on the pace of Dunn’s progression, Tom Thibodeau will have some options. Rubio has five seasons of experience as an NBA point guard and playmaker. His kind of feel for the floor and the game can be of great benefit to Dunn, as it probably has for players like Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins. Dunn’s progression also has the potential to make him a priority over Ricky Rubio should trade talks for the 25-year-old re-surface during the season. Until then, they’re essentially in competition, but there’s initial hope for them to co-exist from Rubio’s point of view.
