Utah Jazz: 5 predictions for the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline
Ricky Rubio
Prediction: The Jazz will field multiple calls and will get close to trading Rubio, but won’t get close enough to shipping away their starting point guard before the deadline — unless a team offers up a starting point guard in return to immediately replace Rubio.
Really for about three or four seasons, dating back to when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, current Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio has found himselves in trade rumors.
With it being his first year in Utah after the Jazz went out and traded for Rubio during the offseason, you think he wouldn’t have to worry about trade speculation this time around.
Well, not so fast.
According to multiple reports, the Jazz are apparently open to entertaining trade possibilities with anyone on their roster not named Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
When looking at the grand scheme of things during the 2017-18 season heading into the trade deadline, Rubio has struggled adjusting to life with the Jazz so far. In 52 appearances entering Wednesday’s slate of games, Rubio is averaging 12.1 points, a career-low 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and a career-low 1.5 steals in 29.5 minutes per game.
But during Utah’s current hot stretch, which has included winning six straight, Rubio has played some great basketball. Despite his struggles this year, his recent play in itself could attract the attention of teams around the league before Thursday’s deadline.
It will be difficult to trade away the 27-year-old veteran guard in his seventh NBA season. Rubio’s contract isn’t necessarily ideal for a team looking to make a run in the playoffs and carry that into the 2018-19 season.
This year, Rubio is making a little over $14 million, while set to make just under $15 million next season.
If the Jazz were able to make a trade work involving Rubio, it would mean Utah would be getting a decent piece in return, which could be beneficial for the Jazz moving forward. Our prediction is that the Jazz will get close to trading Rubio, but ultimately won’t pull the trigger on making the move before the deadline.