The Philadelphia 76ers could turn their attention in trading for Ricky Rubio after the team's free agent target Jeremy Lin secured a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
The 76ers are running out of options for their next starting point guard, with the top names likely to join other teams.
Lin, who played for the Charlotte Hornets last season, has been one of the point guards linked to the 76ers, but after securing a three-year deal with the Nets, Philly could be shifting their focus on other potential targets. One possible option the 76ers may consider is Rubio, who has been on the trading block this offseason.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the 76ers are one of the many teams showing interest at Rubio if the Minnesota Timberwolves decides to put the Spanish point guard on the trading block.
"Depending on how free agency shakes out, league sources said there would be no shortage of teams interested in Rubio, including Philadelphia, Houston and the Bucks, who were unwilling to part with Khris Middleton to land Rubio four months ago," Deveney wrote as reported by CBS Sports' Matt Moore.
It is no surprise that the 76ers are looking to acquire a point guard, with the likes of Isaiah Canaan and Kendall Marshall the only remaining options to start at PG. Rubio, despite his atrocious outside shooting, would be the perfect point guard the 76ers need to slot alongside first overall pick Ben Simmons.
Like Simmons, Rubio, who averaged 10.1 points, 8.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Timberwolves last season, also lack jump-shooting skills, but possess an intriguing overall-game that suits Simmons' own versatility.
With the arrival of Kris Dunn, there are rumors around the league that the Timberwolves would consider trading Rubio, who demanded a trade from Minnesota if the team does not reach the playoffs next year. But it could also be intriguing enough for the Timberwolves to partner Dunn with Rubio next season.
Nevertheless, if interests from both teams materialize, the 76ers could either include Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel on a potential trade. Philly's two young big men have been consistently reported to be on the trading block, and either of the two would surely get the interest of the Timberwolves in trading Rubio.
Meanwhile, the 76ers' free agency has been, so far, dull, with top teams and potential targets bolting to join contenders. But there are still remaining players available in the market Philadelphia could pursue. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the 76ers have shown interests in signing guards Dion Waiter and Jamal Crawford, and other available guards in free agency.
With the 76ers having a ton of money to spend on free agents, it would be easy for them to offer max deals they deem fitting in their future plans. But if they strike out in this year's free agency, which is becoming likely, Philly may consider the trading season their best option to win-now.