The NBA trade rumors lit up with an actual blockbuster trade about to commence. It was not about the centers but two starting point guards.
The big trade is a point guard swap between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons. Rubio has been a staple for NBA trade rumors but Reggie Jackson was often thought to have found his home in Motor town.
The story broke from ESPN in a report credited to Marc Stein and Chris Haynes.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons have discussed a potential swap of point guards Ricky Rubio and Reggie Jackson, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN that no deal appeared imminent Friday but said the teams have engaged in dialogue this week on a potential multiplayer exchange that would be headlined by Rubio and Jackson."
Both teams failed to consummate a deal and the article also explained why.
"Although Minnesota is bringing rookie Kris Dunn along slowly this season, Dunn is regarded as the Wolves' point guard of the future, which has led to Rubio's availability."
As explained by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, "Minnesota has been seeking something of a "bridge" guard in return, a player capable of starting in the short term, but who'll ultimately settle into a backup role and give way to rookie Kris Dunn to become the long-term starter, league sources said."
Reggie Jackson has spent much of his early career as a back-up to Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has flourished when Westbrook was injured but he did not want to return to being a back-up again--which is what the trade would require of him, as Wojnarowski mentioned.
Rubio to the Detroit Pistons would make sense, as he is a better defender. However, does the Pistons have enough firepower to lose Reggie Jackson's contributions? Rubio is not a scorer and he's not going to fill it in. Shabazz Muhammad can score, but he would be in the same position as Tobias Harris (and the benched Stanley Johnson).
This is why there is speculation that other teams could get involved. Teams that need a scoring point guard. The New York Knicks have Derrick Rose now, but they would probably not be interested in re-signing him after he went AWOL.
Jackson would be a great fit there, but there's another team that could need a point guard soon. The Chicago Bulls, like the Knicks, have their own turmoil and it's likely that they would trade or even buy out Rajon Rondo.
Those are just two teams that could throw their hats in on this trade. While Tom Thibodeau and Stan Van Gundy-both wielding head coach and team president hats, could work this out by trading multiple pieces, Jackson doesn't seem to fit the need that the T-Wolves want. He might have a different destination before the deadline.