Rumors: Ricky Rubio Eyeing Los Angeles Lakers

There seems to be a rumor about the Los Angeles Lakers every week. As reported by Lakerholicz.com Ricky Rubio‘s agent has his eyes on the Lakers and New York Knicks, and intends to push his client in the direction of palm trees and sunshine or skyscrapers and below zero temperatures.

It still remains to be seen if the Lakers front office are able to say “Rubio” after having Eric Bledsoe on the brain most of the summer. Rubio’s current team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, has until Oct. 31 to sign him to a contract extension, and all indications point to both sides being at opposite ends when discussing a new deal for the fourth year point guard. As also indicated by TheScore.com, there’s a low likelihood of a deal being completed before the deadline.

It’s likely Rubio will enter free agency as a restricted free agent next July with the Lakers as prime candidates to offer a close-to-max (not quite max) contract. As 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson reported, the Timberwolves have made an offer — it’s just not the one Rubio’s looking for.

Why should players actually get paid what they’re worth. What a silly idea!

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This rumor stinks of negotiation. There will be a few teams next summer that will have cap space, an attractive location and enough prestige to pry free agents from their current teams. The Lakers are one of the teams capable of convincing player (like Rubio) to consider a change of scenery.

However considering the Lakers recent track record of securing top free agents, it’s hard to consider them a viable free agent destination. With regards to the Knicks and Phil Jackson‘s history of rarely being interested in ball dominant point guards within his beloved triangle offense, Rubio’s representation might’ve selected the wrong team to threaten Minny with.

After appearing in 98 games in his first two seasons combined, Rubio was on the floor for all 82 last season. He averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 8.6 assists. Impressive stats but as the NBA point guard position gets faster and more athletic each year, Rubio’s not worth $10 million or more.

There’s two guys that can count on banking that amount of cash next off season from the point guard position. Rajon Rondo and Kemba Walker. Considering no extension will be reached for the following, other notable free agent point guards in the summer of 2015 will include Reggie Jackson, Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe in addition to current Lakers point men Jeremy Lin and Steve Nash. Rubio fits in somewhere within that pack, but he’s certainly not at the top of it.

The Lakers currently have a little more than $47 million in cap used coming into next season with options to get that down to around $43 million with salary and cap holds considered. They wont be in a cap stranglehold and have the option to be a bit picky. With a thirst to return back to Western Conference contention, it’s doubtful the Lakers will make a push for Rubio at the terms he’s interested in.

This rumor is most likely true. Although it was a valiant effort by Rubio’s agent to push Minnesota into a frenzy to lock up their starting point guard, it’s likely Flip Saunders rolled his eyes and replied only with “see you in training camp”. Between Bledsoe and Rubio it’s been an off season of inflated salary demands and pushy agent tactics, the regular season can’t come fast enough.

Play your contracts out young fellas, ball out and cash in off stellar performances — not hope, hype and hoops hypocrisy.