Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 reasons they won’t make the 2018 playoffs

By Allen Wardell

Nov 25, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
ar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) complains to a referee during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
ar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) complains to a referee during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Minnesota Timberwolves trade Ricky Rubio this offseason.

Ricky Rubio is arguably the most polarizing player on the Timberwolves roster, if not in the entire NBA.

For the last couple of seasons, his name has swirled in trade rumors for various reasons, including this past season where there were strong rumors about the Wolves and Knicks swapping Rubio and Derrick Rose before the NBA trade deadline.

Had that trade gone down, it would have reunited Tom Thibodeau with Rose whom he coached in Chicago and given Thibodeau a scoring point guard that many think is necessary in today’s NBA game.

However, one could argue that the Timberwolves don’t need a scoring point guard as they have three young players who are capable of averaging 20 plus points per game in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.

What Rubio lacks in scoring he makes up for in his ability to orchestrate and run an effective NBA offense, get his teammates easy baskets, be a pest on defense, and be the vocal leader on this young team.

If the Wolves opt to trade Rubio this offseason and they don’t acquire a veteran NBA point guard in return, I don’t see how they will be able to take the next step and make the NBA Playoffs with Kris Dunn, Tyus Jones or possibly a rookie point guard running this team. We just haven’t seen enough of Dunn or Jones at this point.