Predicting the Timberwolves Future

Mar 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) reacts alongside head coach Flip Saunders against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio is entering the start of his four-year, $54 million contract. He still struggles shooting the basketball and he’s been injured every season except for one, the 2013-14 season.

It’s not a secret that Ricky Rubio’s agent would have strong motivation to get him out of Minnesota. He may want him in a larger market like Los Angeles or New York so they can market him more. Eventually, agents win — if they do not get fired first. So, if Rubio doesn’t fire his agent, he will likely end up in a much larger market someday down the road.

Rubio’s first season in Minnesota was in 2011-12 and if he stays in Minnesota for the entirety of his contract, he will be here through the 2018-19 season. That’s not happening. He won’t be in Minnesota for seven years total.

Result: Ricky gets traded in the summer before the 2017-18 season for a combination of expiring contracts and draft picks.

P.S. That expiring veteran contract we get for Rubio could be huge, because we might need that extra cash to resign Wiggins and LaVine.

Next: Another Big Man