NBA Trade Deadline portfolio: Ricky Rubio

The Minnesota Timberwolves were supposed to take a step forward this year under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was brought in to help bring this long-suffering Western Conference NBA team out of the cellar through stellar defensive teachings. Instead, the young Timberwolves haven’t seemed ready to receive his boisterous coaching tactics just yet. Though they have talent, the Timberwolves look likely to miss the Western Conference playoffs for the league-worst 13th straight season.

In what looks to be a lost season now that shooting guard Zach LaVine has torn his ACL, could the Timberwolves be on the cusp of trading point guard Ricky Rubio?

Rubio is in the second year of his rookie extension he signed in 2014. He won’t hit unrestricted free agency until summer 2019 when he is 28-years old. Rubio is an appealing trade asset for the Timberwolves for several reasons: He came into the league as a point guard passing prodigy out of Spain and has largely delivered on that floor general promise. He plays solid on-ball defense, despite playing for a lousy team. Teams would be getting him for two-and-a-half years on a favorable contract.

Rubio’s skill set as a point guard is very old-school. He always looks to pass first, as his shooting has never really improved after coming over from Barcelona in 2011. Rubio is adept at ball-handling and creating plays off-the-dribble for his Minnesota teammates. He’s not prone to turning the basketball over. Playoff-contending teams would like the inherent stability he provides at point guard. While the Timberwolves have been largely terrible during his tenure in Minneapolis, Rubio plays hard every night. That could translate in winning time should he be placed into a winning environment in a trade deadline deal.

There will be several interesting point guards potentially available at the trade deadline. However, Rubio isn’t on an expiring deal and could be the type of pass-first playmaker a team full of shooters could need to help get them the basketball. In the right situation, Rubio could be a starting point guard for a perennial playoff team in either conference as he moves through his prime.

So what is the likelihood that Rubio does get dealt before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 23? Rubio has been presumed to be on the trading block since the summer when the Timberwolves selected Kris Dunn in the 2016 NBA Draft. However, Dunn has struggled offensively and Rubio has been playing some of the best basketball of his career.

Minnesota will likely want a significant offer in return, as there is no immediate pressure to trade Rubio for a playoff push. They will likely be looking for a rotational-level player now, with some combination of picks as well. Ideally, the Timberwolves would be looking for another strong ball handler to complement Dunn in a trade involving Rubio. The incoming guard doesn’t have to start, but needs to be capable of being an eighth guy in a rotation worthy of 20 to 25 minutes of playing time.

If Rubio is seriously dealt before the trade deadline, here are the three places he could realistically land: the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic, and the Sacramento Kings.

Milwaukee is the best fit for him, as he would thrive playing for Jason Kidd. Yes, he would have to relinquish some ball-handling to point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee needs point guard depth in the worst way possible. Greg Monroe and a future draft pick or two doesn’t sound insane. Monroe for Rubio straight up would work in a vacuum, but Monroe is on an expiring deal.

Orlando seems to be fumbling. It has way too many big men and not enough competent point guards. Elfrid Payton is a lesser version of Rubio anyway. Serge Ibaka has been sought after by a few different teams and, if he could be convinced to resign in Minnesota this summer, would make an interesting complement for Karl-Anthony Towns..

Then there is the Kings. Rubio could be the point guard that head coach Dave Joerger would want to work alongside enigmatic center DeMarcus Cousins. Rubio doesn’t play with a huge ego and would give Cousins the rock every time he wants it. The problem with a Kings trade is who would be going the Timberwolves way? If small forward Rudy Gay didn’t rupture his Achilles, then this deal might be more likely.

Next: The 20 best NBA players who could be available at the trade deadline

Overall, the trade market for Rubio is strong, but it’s hard to find a trade partner that needs Rubio enough to make the kind of offer the Timberwolves may be looking for.

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