Will Ricky Rubio Be Traded?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2560185-bucher-buzz-top-landing-spots-for-ricky-rubio?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=web-des-art-top-19


9 hours ago - via Bleacher Report
Ric Bucher: I’m hearing that the Minnesota Timberwolves are actually looking at potentially moving Ricky Rubio.


________________________________________________

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/03/ricky-rubio-is-confident-timberwolves-not-looking-to-trade-him/



Ricky Rubio is confident Timberwolves not looking to trade him
Kurt Helin Sep 3, 2015, 5:09 PM EDT



Ricky Rubio‘s name has come up in increased trade speculation the last few weeks. And we mean speculation. An international basketball site took reports that Phil Jackson says the Knicks need more talent in the backcourt and combined with a Boston Globe report the Timberwolves are a little frustrated with the pace of improvement in Rubio’s game to create a trade rumor where nothing of substance exists. Other speculation surrounds the Nets. It’s August, so some people are talking about it.

Rubio says he doesn’t buy it.

He is in Dubai right now and said this to Gulf News (hat tip Fox Sports).

“I have confidence that the team wants me but you know in this league anybody can get traded,” said the flashy playmaker. “You don’t listen to the rumours. You just live day-by-day and that’s it.”

When asked if he wanted to stay with the long-suffering Timberwolves, Rubio gave a firm: “Yes.”

It would be a mistake for Minnesota to trade Rubio right now as their starting point guard unless they have a viable backup plan. And Zach LaVine is not a viable backup plan. (His athleticism is not in question, but his understanding of the game, his rate of turnovers, and his poor defense do not project as someone you want to be your starting point guard.) If Minnesota wants to move on from Rubio, the question becomes who do they move on to? Andre Miller is on the roster but he’s not the long-term answer, and Tyus Jones is a long ways off if he gets there at all.

Rubio has the potential to elevate the games of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns with his creativity on the floor. Minnesota has so much potential with this roster; they need to play it out for part of the season and evaluate how the pieces fit, then start to think about moves. Moving Rubio now — especially for what the Knicks or Nets can offer in return — is a bad idea.

But it’s August, so discuss it if you want.



Ricky Rubio:

/36mpg - last year

11.8 pts, 35.6% fg%, 25.5% 3pt fg%, 38.7% 2pt fg%, 10.0 asts, 3.3 TOs (3:1), 6.5 rebs, 80% ft%, 2.0 steals



For comparison, here's Rondo's numbers, career in Boston only;  /36mpg

12.0 pts, 47.3% fg%, 25.2% 3pt fg%, 49.3% 2pt fg%, 9.3 asts, 3.1 TOs (also 3:1), 5.2 rebs, 61% ft%, 2.0 steals



Rubio is getting paid $12.7M this year and has 3 more years after that, with the annual going up $700k/year until $14.8M in 2018-2019.


bob


.