Looking for an upgrade at the point guard position, the Minnesota Timberwolves have decided to send Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz. Here are NBA Trade Grades for both sides.
After leaving Ricky Rubio on the trade block for years, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have finally found their resolution.
As first reported by Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, the Wolves have agreed to send their Spanish floor general to the Utah Jazz.
According to Spencer Checketts of the the Zone Sports Network, the Jazz will be sending a 2018 first round pick (via the Oklahoma City Thunder) back to Minnesota.
That pick is lottery-protected.
Though Rubio remains a highly underrated point guard, especially on the defensive end of the floor, the Wolves have been searching for an upgrade at that spot for quite some time. The Jazz, meanwhile, look to add passing, defense and stability at the point guard position with George Hill being an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The question is, which side won the deal? Who is expected to replace Rubio as the Timberwolves’ new starting point guard? And how will Rubio’s arrival impact the free agency of Gordon Hayward? To sort it all out, here are NBA Trade Grades for both sides.