NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves getting calls for Ricky Rubio & Nikola Pekovic
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the talk of the NBA as of late, but not for the reasons they would like to be known for.
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The Timberwolves lost out on Dave Joerger after he chose to return as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.
They also look destined to lose their best player, star power forward Kevin Love.
According to Charley Walters of The St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Timberwolves are not close to trading Love, but are getting plenty of calls regarding his availability and the availability of center Nikola Pekovic and point guard Ricky Rubio.
"As for the Kevin Love situation, at least as of Tuesday the Wolves expected him to play for them next season rather than trade him. If the all-star power forward isn’t traded, though, he can opt out of his contract after next season. A report elsewhere that Sacramento has made an offer for Love isn’t accurate.Neither is it accurate that prospective coaches aren’t interested in the Wolves job because of the uncertainty of Love’s status.If the Wolves were to lose Love to free agency, they will have plenty of cash to sign other players. If they trade him, they will have assets.The Wolves have regularly fielded inquiries about whether Love, Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio are available, but that hasn’t changed from a year ago. Even with those players, the Wolves have not become a playoff team."
Pekovic averages 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season while Rubio put up 9.5 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.