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NBA trade rumors: 5 destinations for Ricky Rubio

By John Buhler

February 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) moves the ball up court against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) moves the ball up court against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at the Barclays Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nets 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at the Barclays Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nets 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

147. . East. Atlantic. Brooklyn Nets. 5. player

It’ll be very difficult for this team with a barren roster to pull off a trade for Rubio, but the Brooklyn Nets have to do something to not let All-Star center Brook Lopez lose his mind in the low post because of atrocious point guard play.

As it stands now, Lopez will have Jarrett Jack and Shane Larkin attempting to lob him the ball in the low post, as the Nets will struggle to win at most 30 games in 2016-17 under first year head coach Kenny Atkinson. Atkinson will do a fine job in developing the young players general manager Sean Marks will somehow find for him without many draft picks, but Atkinson would love to have a professional starting point guard running the show for him in day one.

Brooklyn received a No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft from the Indiana Pacers for former starting power forward Thaddeus Young, so Marks could theoretically use that pick immediately to land Rubio on draft night.

While Rubio isn’t an elite NBA point guard, he’s at least serviceable and not having a respectable player at that position is a death sentence for playoff contention. Brooklyn is a long way towards being a playoff caliber team, but gaining a solid pro like Rubio will at least help the Nets build something decent in 2016-17.

Next: 4. Chicago Bulls.

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