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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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Feb 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) shoots the ball around Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) shoots the ball around Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

West. Southwest. Memphis Grizzlies. 3. player. 211.

One of the bigger questions entering 2016 NBA free agency is where will Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley end up. While he could re-up with Memphis where he has spent his entire nine-year NBA career since going to the Grizzlies at No. 4 in the 2007 NBA Draft, Conley might want to honestly test the free agent market, no matter how diminishing it might be for point guards.

Two of Conley’s best free agents suitors in the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks have solved their point guard issues with Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose going to the Pacers and the Knicks respectively on Wednesday afternoon.

Should Conley leave Memphis for teams desperately looking to upgrade their play at point guard like the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers, choosing to pursue Rubio from the Timberwolves in a trade has to be something the Memphis offense should at least consider.

With a first-time head coach in David Fizdale, the Grizzlies can’t expect to win meaningful playoff games with Mario Chalmers running the point. By gaining Rubio, the Grizzlies’ offense could expand as Rubio is an elite distributor of the basketball.

Conley is too, but loves to attack the rim, taking shots away from would-be jump shooters in Memphis. If Memphis wants to become a better jump shooting team under Fizdale, having a great passer in Rubio is a terrific start to getting good looks from the outside on drive-and-kicks.

Next: 2. Philadelphia 76ers.

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