We have another patented “Woj Bomb” for you today, according to Adrian Wojnarowiski and The Vertical, the Timberwolves are now actively shopping Ricky Rubio and willing to package Shabazz Muhammad in any trade.
Sources on @TheVertical: Minnesota shopping point guard Ricky Rubio in trade proposals. https://t.co/bgTdIWy90f
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2017
Muhammad is still an intriguing second unit scorer who can be a two through four in today’s NBA and provide youthful depth to a team.
According to Woj’s story, the Wolves are looking for a “bridge player” who can fill a starting role in the short-term and eventually give way to Kris Dunn as the starting point guard of the future, presumably next season.
He also notes that the Kings are highly interested in Rubio but don’t have the sort of package to offer that the T’Wolves desire.
The timing of this report is somewhat peculiar as Rubio is playing his basketball of this season over the last four games, averaging 11.2 points, 14 assists and 4.2 rebounds and the T’Wolves have won three of their past four, including wins over the Rockets and Thunder.
It seems as though they feel like now is the time to strike and maximize a potential return for the 26-year-old guard who is set to make $29 million for the remainder of his contract in addition to $13.5 million this season.
It’s clear that despite his immense struggles (3.9 points and 2.2 assists per game on 37% shooting and a negative assist to turnover ratio) Kris Dunn is handpicked as the point guard of the future. The first high pick of the new regime in Minnesota and the Twin cities aren’t big enough for twin point guards who don’t compliment one another.
Rubio would be a great fit in a place like Sacramento, New York, Indiana or even San Antonio with his basketball I.Q. It will be intriguing to see what the market and demand is for one of the best passing and defensive point guards in the league, yet one who struggles to score or shoot with any consistency.
