NBA Trade Rumors: High-Profile Players In Dire Need Of A Trade
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Point Guard
Age: 25 (10/21/1990)
2016-17 Salary:
Slash Line: .374/.326/.847
Season Averages: 30.6 MPG, 10.1 PPG, 8.6 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 0.8 3PM
With Ricky Rubio on the court, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a net rating of +1.1—the best mark on the team. That number plunged to a -8.2 when Rubio came off the floor, which makes for a difference of 9.3 points per 100 possessions.
Unfortunately for Rubio, the Timberwolves all but gave up on him when they drafted Kris Dunn. The proof:
Minnesota has been shopping Ricky Rubio throughout the week. His future in Minnesota is likely coming to an end.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2016
Love or hate his inability to shoot—and he really can’t shoot—Rubio is an incredibly valuable player.
On a per game basis, Rubio ranked No. 2 in the NBA in steals and No. 5 in assists per game. He was also No. 7 amongst point guards in rebounding, No. 2 in defensive real +/-, No. 5 in assist percentage, and No. 5 in points created via assists per game.
On a team with established talent—and, dare a team be so fortunate, shooters—Rubio could thrive.
By drafting Dunn at No. 5 overall, the Timberwolves have effectively estranged Rubio. Most feel that Dunn can start from Day 1, and even with Tom Thibodeau’s tendency to not play rookies, that’s a likely outcome.
Rubio deserves the opportunity to start elsewhere, and he could undoubtedly receive it.
must read: A way too early mock for the 2017 NBA Draft
For all five of these players, a fresh start with a new team could be the best thing that’s ever happened to their NBA careers.