Ricky Rubio isn’t plotting his escape from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He isn’t not plotting it, either.
During an appearance on Catalunya Radio from Spain, Rubio hinted that he might consider asking for a trade if Minnesota misses the playoffs again, per ESPN.com:
In an interview with Catalunya Radio from Spain, Rubio said that next season could be his last one with the Timberwolves if the team doesn’t make it to the postseason.
“When I arrived to Minnesota, my hope was to break the seven years’ streak without [a] presence in [the] playoffs. I still have that hope, but it’s very tough mentally when year after year that goal is not met,” Rubio said.
“Next season will be crucial for me. I’ve been in the NBA for five years, and six years without playoffs would be a long time. At 26, I’d have to start thinking about teams that can get to the playoffs and win in the Finals.”
These aren’t unfair sentiments, even if Rubio’s ultimatum of sorts rings hollow.
The point guard cannot become a free agent until 2019, so he doesn’t have any leverage in trade talks. It may also be unrealistic to expect the Timberwolves to contend for a playoff spot next season.
The emergence of Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns helps, but this team is still in the early stages of another rebuild. It also has a new head coach in Tom Thibodeau. Minnesota is clearly one of the brighter young transitioning teams, but it might take a while before they are where Ricky Rubio expects them to be.
Maybe, then, he’ll want to start making his list of desired destinations now. He may end up needing them in one year’s time.
