5 trades the Minnesota Timberwolves should explore
By Connor Learn
4. Ricky Rubio to the San Antonio Spurs for Manu Ginobili, Davis Bertans, and Nikola Milutinov
Why this makes sense for the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves get value out of this trade. Davis Bertans is a 24-year old Latvian rookie with a great shooting stroke who has steadily been earning minutes with the Spurs this season. Once a relative unknown, on November 21 he made his first career start. The 6-foot-10’ Bertans brings great size and shooting ability to the wing and could become the player that the Timberwolves want Nemanja Bjelica to be. Nikola Milutinov is a promising 21-year old, 7-foot Serbian center that the Spurs took in the first round of the 2015 draft who currently plays in Greece. Manu Ginobili would come in and fill a role as a bench playmaker and a leader. This could very easily be a positive trade for the Timberwolves.
Why this makes sense for the Spurs
Tony Parker is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career and Patty Mills isn’t capable of starting at a high level. First round pick Dejounte Murray could very well be the future at the position for the Spurs, but presently the position is their biggest question mark. It makes sense for General Manager R.C. Buford to step into the trade market and look for an option to help his team contend for another championship.
Ricky Rubio would immediately fit in with the Spurs diverse locker room. Gregg Popovich would figure out how to get the most of Rubio’s talents in the Spurs pass happy system. League renowned shot coach Chip Engellund could potentially do wonders for his career too. Ricky Rubio would push Tony Parker to the bench, where he may be better suited at age 34. And come the Western Conference playoffs, Ricky Rubio would be able to match up defensively with point guards; a struggle in the recent past.
In order to make this trade work salary cap wise, the Spurs would probably need to part with one of Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, or Tony Parker. Ginobili is the one least likely to help them in the playoffs, and Kyle Anderson is ready to step into more responsibilities in his stead. Manu Ginobili should be a basketball Hall-of-Famer and trading him would be an unceremonious end to his storied Spurs tenure. He also would have to agree to any trade and may not be willing to move. But making this trade would give them the best chance to win basketball games in the spring; always the number one priority in San Antonio.