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Minnesota Timberwolves: Is This Season Ricky Rubio’s Last Chance?

By Dan Schultz

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) against the New York Knicks at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) against the New York Knicks at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the addition of Kris Dunn, the pressure is on for Ricky Rubio to not only keep his starting spot, but to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves long-term.

It is no secret that the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to be very competitive this year. Adding an outstanding head coach like Tom Thibodeau was a brilliant move. Giving him blue-chip players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins provides him with two great pieces to build around.

With the continued improvement of Zach LaVine, combined with the organization drafting Kris Dunn, this is a potentially very scary team.

Related Story: Minnesota Timberwolves: 2016 Offseason Grades

One player that not many are talking about when it comes to the future of the Wolves is Ricky Rubio, mostly because his future with the team appears to be very cloudy right now.

Rubio is on pace to be the worst shooter in the history of the modern basketball era. He was also involved in trade rumors over the offseason, especially after the Wolves selected Dunn. As of now, his phenomenal defense, breathtaking handles and passing are why he’s been able to hang on to his starting spot.

His grasp on the starting point guard position is probably secure at least to start this season. After all, the Wolves would be smart to let Thibodeau try to work him into his system, which concentrates heavily on defensive intensity.

However, with a lot of emphasis being placed on outside shooting in this era of basketball, Rubio is going to need to expand his range.

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    • For his career, he has shot just 37 percent from the field, and just 32 percent from beyond the arc. This allows defenders to play off of him and let him prove he can make a jumper, which in turn creates spacing issues for the Wolves’ post players.

    The good news for Rubio is that he is under contract until 2019. The bad news is that he is projected to be the highest paid player of the team for not only this year, but next year as well. While this is fantastic for him financially, it will undoubtedly add more pressure for him to perform much better than he has been.

    Really, Rubio just needs to do his best to just be as carefree as possible. He is sometimes too calculated in how he plays, which is why defenses are able to read him easily and pounce on him. He has also averaged 2.5 turnovers per game for his career, another area of his game that he could work on.

    The Wolves’ decision to draft Dunn has to be a wake-up call to Rubio. This season is his last chance to show he has what it takes to be the point guard for this team for the long haul. Either he buckles down and really shoots the ball well this season, or he will most likely be traded elsewhere.

    Given the talent the Wolves possess, Rubio should be fighting hard to stay with this squad. He is now entering his sixth season with them and there is something to be said about team chemistry and how comfortable he feels with his teammates. That’s where he has an advantage over Dunn.

    Of course, what the Wolves decide to do in terms of the point guard spot will also depend on how Dunn plays. Like Rubio, he also had issues controlling the ball in college, averaging 3.3 turnovers per contest at Providence.

    With that being said, all signs are pointing to him being the real deal, which should serve as a major source of motivation for Rubio to up his game.

    Next: 2016 NBA Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams

    Wolves fans should not expect Dunn to come into training camp and steal Rubio’s position from him outright. However, if Rubio does not have a career year this season, and Dunn puts together a remarkable rookie campaign, consider Rubio as good as gone.

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