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Three Teams That Could Trade for Timberwolves’ Ricky Rubio

By Noelyhoops

Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) looks to pass the ball around New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) looks to pass the ball around New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) backs down on Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) backs down on Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee

ESPN Trade Machine

Monroe is not the athletic, rangy big man that Wolves fans would like, but he would provide a big body that the team currently lacks. His rebounding is valuable and he can score from within ten feet of the rim.  He’s a true center that the Timberwolves could use.

Carter-Williams would be a significant downgrade at point guard, but he has proven himself to be a capable defender, which may be enough for Minnesota. Ideally the team could relegate him to the bench behind Dunn, but he also provides reasonable insurance if there are any hiccups in Dunn’s development.

Milwaukee is nearing playoff contention and needs a boost in order to vault into the land of contenders in the next few years. Carter-Williams is not the answer at point guard, so they should be hunting for a player that offers more at that position. Rubio offers no more shooting than Carter-Williams, but is the unequivocally superior passer, ball-handler, and defender.

While Rubio is the most valuable player in this deal, the Timberwolves may be too optimistic if they expect to get back both Monroe and Carter-Williams for him.  For that reason, Milwaukee would also receive Muhammad and a second round pick.

If the Bucks decide that they don’t need a prospect like Muhammad or a future second round pick, they may offer to cut those pieces out of the deal and replace Carter-WIlliams with their own 2017 second round pick.

Next: Could Timberwolves Trade For D'Angelo Russell

This trade would not be ideal for Minnesota because it would not help the team acquire a shooter. This is more likely to occur in an alternative scenario where the team drafts Murray, Bender, or Buddy Hield before acquiring a targeted point guard in free agency.