The NBA season is in full swing and while the Minnesota Timberwolves are actually in the thick of contention this year, the team is still looking to the offseason this summer for a big decision that awaits. The buzz around Minnesota recently has been about contracts, specifically that of Kevin Love who is still a little steamed he didn’t get the max offer he wanted from the Wolves.
The reason Love didn’t get the max offer was because everyone believed that Minnesota was saving that for Ricky Rubio — everyone including Ricky Rubio. According to 1500ESPN in Minneapolis, Rubio’s camp is almost certain that the Wolves will be offering the star point guard a max contract in the offseason.
(1/2) Rubio confidant on 5-yr/no 5-yr ext. idea: "Value still high around league & a lot of teams would def. be interested in his services."
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 20, 2013
(2/2) Me talking now: Reading the tea leaves, Rubio people expect the 5-yr max extension offer next offseason. Will be interesting. #twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 20, 2013
The tea leaves may read that Rubio’s camp is expecting a max offer in the offseason but Rubio’s numbers tell a different tale. Even if Rubio isn’t succeeding on the court lie the Wolves have been expecting since his rookie season, Minnesota will likely throw a max offer at him just because that’s the whole reason we think Kevin Love didn’t get one. Minnesota might not be able to keep both Rubio and Love long term and it’s a matter of which one they want more, but if this situation gets botched in the offseason, Minnesota might burn bridges with both players.