Ricky Rubio (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors have been dominated by centers for the past year but there are some top point guards who could be on the move.
The value of a point guard has never been higher in today's NBA when over a decade ago, the historical goal was to get a big man to build around.
Now, two starting point guards, one of them a former All-Star, are on the trading block. Ricky Rubio has long been the subject of various rumors since last season. Rajon Rondo has never found a home since he left the Boston Celtics via trade to the Dallas Mavericks.
Rondo may find himself in his fifth team, fourth in three seasons if he gets traded and KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune has reported that Rondo will indeed demand an exit.
"Rondo told reporters he'd 'absolutely' ask to be elsewhere if he remains out of the rotation, a point he also conveyed to management. As of now, sources said there are no plans to trade or buy out Rondo, who was benched for the third time in a week and this time for the entirety of Saturday's loss to the Bucks," Johnson reported.
Rondo has yet to break the rotation again, similar to the situation with the Dallas Mavericks. He's not helping his trade value and the Bulls may be pressed into a wall now. But there could be hope for the former Celtic.
Tom Thibodeau, the former Chicago Bulls coach who was also an assistant with the Boston Celtics when they won their title, may be the true motivator that Rondo is looking for.
It was rumored that Thibs wants veterans on his young, talented team and he's looking for his old wards. The reference was reserved to former Bulls players like Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler but it could also refer to a former Celtic like Rondo.
The Chicago Bulls side would want Rubio, as shown in Pippen Ain't Easy, a Fansided Bulls blog.
"With Chicago, Rubio might actually flourish being an ex-teammate of Mirotic on the Spanish National basketball team. That alone should upgrade the game of the Bulls' enigmatic scorer. Even Doug McDermott's game will spike with Rubio on the team looking for him all the time. No more shooters sitting in the corner if Rubio plays for the Bulls," PAE stated.
It would be a tough gamble for the Minnesota Timberwolves side, but if Thibodeau does not have other options, Rondo is not a stranger to him.
