Top 10 Draft Picks in Timberwolves History
By Ben Beecken
Nov 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) drives around Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
#5 – Ricky Rubio, Spain, #5 in 2009 draft
This was the draft pick acquired from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Coincidentally, Flip Saunders was the Wizards coach when this trade was approved.
It was also the year that Wolves’ boss David Kahn selected Jonny Flynn at #6 and left Stephen Curry on the board for the Golden State Warriors. Whoops.
We’ll never know what could have been had Rubio not torn his ACL late in his rookie season. But when he’s been on the floor, he’s a top-12 point guard in the NBA. He’s still only 25 years old and while his shooting issues have been well-documented, there’s still plenty of room for growth.
Plus, he’s a plus-defender and a plus-passer. Rubio is currently one of the top-three players on the roster and will likely be the point guard that leads Minnesota back to the playoffs in the next year or two.
Next: #4 - Wally Szczerbiak