NBA Rumors: Timberwolves ‘Intent’ On Trading Ricky Rubio

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves have quickly gone from a promising young team in the Western Conference to a potential playoff contender after the events of that transpired on the night of the 2017 NBA Draft. The team acquired superstar Jimmy Butler in a trade with the Chicago Bulls and have changed the outlook of their already bright future.

Along with adding a superstar to play alongside up-and-comers Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves don’t appear to be done making changes to their roster. Veteran point guard Ricky Rubio may still be on his way out of Minnesota via trade, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:

The Minnesota Timberwolves remain intent on dealing point guard Ricky Rubio after acquiring All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, according to league sources.

Rubio has seemingly been on the trading block in Minnesota for years. The Timberwolves brass has been exploring trading the Spanish guard for quite some time but has had no luck on getting a deal to come to fruition.

There have been rumors that Tom Thibodeau may be targeting Derrick Rose this summer in NBA free agency. Thibodeau already brought in one of his former players from his coaching days in Chicago in Butler and bringing in Rose could be the next move if they can find a deal that works to trade Rubio.

Although Rubio has been on the block for the last few years, he did play well last season and could be a vital piece to the puzzle for another or if Thibodeau ultimately decides to keep him with their revamped squad.

The Timberwolves were rumored to have been in trade talks with the Detroit Pistons ahead of the trade deadline last season with the team targeting Reggie Jackson in a swap for Rubio. Minnesota could try to reignite those talks this summer or leading up to February’s deadline.