Ricky Rubio may never exit trade rumors. And with more rumors, a trade becomes more likely. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Rubio is only 25 years old and fits very well with the young Minnesota Timberwolves core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine with some bench firepower in Shabazz Muhammad and Cole Aldrich. They have a nice core but it appears the Wolves aren’t planning on having Rubio go too deep into the future with the team. Not until rookie point guard Kris Dunn shows that he’s ready to run the offense. Once again, the Kings pop up as possible suitors for Rubio.
Following from Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports.
There is still time until the 2016 NBA draft’s fifth overall selection, Kris Dunn, takes over as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard – which is why the franchise is still resisting trade overtures for Ricky Rubio, league sources told The Vertical.
The Sacramento Kings are the most determined of several teams expressing interest in finding a pathway to a Rubio deal, league sources said, but Minnesota president and coach Tom Thibodeau is reluctant to move Rubio – outside of bringing back a no-brainer package, of course – until Dunn’s progress illustrates this season that he’s ready to fully take over the team.
Thibodeau doesn’t anticipate Dunn becoming the starter until approximately 20 games into the regular season, league sources said.
The Kings have maintained a consistent interest in Rubio for months, although it’s unclear whether Sacramento has the makings of a trade package that would appeal to the Timberwolves. Sacramento has been determined to find a young point guard to run its team.
It makes sense to ease Dunn in but 20 games? That seems like a very low number, especially considering that Dunn has immensely struggled throughout the preseason. The rookie is playing like a rookie and it’s very unlikely he’ll turn it around in 20 games. Ricky Rubio wants to mentor him but is 20 games enough time?
Then again, the NBA GM’s like the kid and many thought if Ben Simmons wasn’t in this draft, Dunn would’ve been the top overall pick. He has talent, he just has to get acclimated to the NBA game.
Only time will tell with this Rubio situation but at this point, it appears a trade might be happening sooner rather than later.
