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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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Oct 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

. East. Central. Milwaukee Bucks. 1. player. 89

If there is one team that the Timberwolves should consider shipping Rubio to, it’s to the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee made a horrible decision in parting ways with Brandon Knight at the 2015 NBA trade deadline. The once exciting defensive team of the 2014-15 season rapidly declined once the point guard play cratered upon the arrival of Michael Carter-Williams from the 76ers.

The belief was that Bucks head coach Jason Kidd could fix Carter-Wiliams’ broken jumper, as Kidd was an eerily similar player as Carter-Williams during his early days with the mid-1990s Dallas Mavericks. Though gifted defensively, Kidd has had to reluctantly start the Bucks’ best player in small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo at the point forward.

Antetokounmpo is an unbelievable talent and will probably make his first NBA All-Star Game this season, but Milwaukee has to do a better job of who the Bucks trot out at point guard. With a respectable starting NBA point guard, Milwaukee can get back into the 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Rubio would provide the Bucks with what they absolutely need: a gifted, pass-first point guard that can get its shooters the basketball. Kidd will get the passer he needs to turn this team around in Rubio.

Milwaukee could send the Timberwolves their No. 10 overall pick and Carter-Williams or maybe another young player. While Carter-Williams has busted with the Bucks, Thibodeau has to be salivating a Carter-Williams’ impressive wingspan to begin building another defensive behemoth in the Twin Cities.

Carter-Williams can still have value in the NBA as a great perimeter defender, but until he learns to shoot better and not turn the basketball over, he’ll struggle being a starter in the NBA. Minnesota can afford to bring Carter-Williams into the fold, as the Timberwolves will already have drafted a good backcourt prospect in either Dunn or Hield. In a worst case scenario, LaVine has shown promise at running the point, too.

For more NBA trade rumors, please check out our NBA trade rumors category page.

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