Ricky Rubio (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to find a starting point guard and the latest buzz has Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio and Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston in the Philly's radar.
With free agency unlikely to become fruitful for the 76ers, the team could look into trading one of their available assets to snatch a starting PG that team has been looking for. According to the latest rumors, the 76ers could trade Nerlens Noel for the likes of Rubio and Livingston, who are potential candidates to take on a starting role in Philadelphia.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical claimed the Timberwolves has been "shopping" Rubio and, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the 76es are among the teams showing interest in acquiring the Spaniard.
Timberwolves selecting Kris Dunn in the draft has sparked rumors of Rubio becoming the odd man out in Minnesota. With the 76ers failing to secure a bona fide floor commander in this year's free agency, a trade for Rubio would be the "best option" for Philadelphia, reports John Smallwood of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"A trade is the best option for the Sixers to acquire the lead guard they desperately need, and that best candidate is Minnesota veteran Ricky Rubio, who suddenly became redundant when the Timberwolves selected Dunn fifth overall," Smallwood wrote.
Rubio, despite his atrocious outside shooting, would be fun to watch playing alongside Ben Simmons. The 76ers would have two playmakers sharing the ball on the court, which could potentially maximize the team's other big men like Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.
Another potential starting PG the 76ers could consider is Livingston, who has thrived playing as backup guard for the Warriors, but has shown great potential to be a starter.
According to Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer, acquiring a player like Livingston would help Simmons develop immediately and provide the 76ers a leadership role they sorely need.
"When the Sixers drafted Ben Simmons first overall they added a fourth gilt-edged big man who needs to learn how to play NBA basketball. Livingston can help Simmons immediately," Hayes noted.
"The Sixers need a veteran, selfless, patient, skilled, effective point guard more than anything else."
Much like Rubio, Livingston won't provide outside shooting to the 76ers, but his playmaking skills and high basketball IQ should be a perfect fit to guide Philly's core of young talents.
However, the Warriors intend to keep Livingston for the next season, which will make it hard for the 76ers to pry the one-time NBA champ out of the Bay Area.
The market for point guards has become very thin for the 76ers, with the likes of Mike Conley and Jeremy Lin signing deals elsewhere. But if the 76ers really intend to acquire a starting point guard, a trade seems very imminent this offseason.
