Ricky Rubio (Photo : REUTERS)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have already expressed their willingness to engage in any trade talks involving point guard Ricky Rubio. With the first overall pick in the bag, would the T-Wolves try to snag another top-5 pick by offering a package centered on Rubio?
According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Wolves are gauging interest for Rubio, who is still 24-years old and one of the best passers in the game. Ford indicated the Wolves are very much intrigued by what they see in D'Angelo Russell, and they believe Rubio could turn into a valuable trade chip in order for them to acquire the Buckeyes playmaker.
Unfortunately, the Wolves aren't going to part ways with the top overall pick anytime soon unless they receive an over-the-top deal. However, they could instead prepare a package involving Rubio, another young player and a draft pick for another lottery pick in this year's draft.
Darren Wolfson mentioned two teams that could make a run for Rubio in the event the T-Wolves place him on trading block. The Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings, ball clubs that showed interest in trading for the Spanish passing wiz last season, might engage into another trade talk for the same player.
The Mavericks are still licking their wounds after their Rajon Rubio experiments failed miserably, while the Kings are one solid point guard away to becoming the next playoff contender in a very crowded Western Conference battlefield.
The New York Knicks are another team NBA insiders have their eyes on as potential player for Rubio since they have the cap space to absorb his contract (four-year, $55 million deal) and they are pretty much in need of an able facilitator in their triangle offense. Rubio has been one of the finest passers in the game the past few years, averaging 8.2 assists per game over his career. However, his outside shooting remained the weakest part of the game and that alone is preventing him to make much of an impact on the offensive end.
Nevertheless, Rubio seems to be a perfect fit in Phil Jacksons' triangle offense because of his incredible court vision, not to mention he would be a terrific facilitator for high-scoring forward Carmelo Anthony. At this point of his career, Rubio clearly doesn't want to wait another 2 or 3 years to make a serious run at the title. So do the Knicks who are banking on a good offseason to get themselves back on a right track.
