Reaction: Ricky Rubio is finally traded

After the outcome of the Jimmy Butler trade this past week, the Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t done making deals. As they have traded point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz.

After six years with the Minnesota Timberwolves and constant whirlwinds of trade rumors the past couple years; Ricky Rubio has finally been dealt to the Utah Jazz. This is what the trade looks like:

Minnesota Receives: 2018 frirst ound pick (top 14 protected)

Utah Jazz: Ricky Rubio

As Bleacher Report explains:

If the Utah Jazz land in the lottery then the Wolves will get Utah’s 2019 protected 1^st round pick. If you’re not familiar with the Adreian Payne trade that took place back in 2014, the Wolves traded away their 2017 protected first round pick. The Wolves have not yet landed outside of the lottery, but if they weren’t to do so, it would turn into two second round picks in 2021.

The same result will happen for this trade. Meaning if Utah doesn’t land outside of the lottery in a few years, then Minnesota will receive two second rounders out of this trade.

The Timberwolves free up around $14 million a year now with the Rubio trade, causing the Wolves to gain about $32 million in cap space this off-season according to Eric Pincus – Capologist for Basketball Insiders.

Timberwolves future:

Now that Ricky Rubio is out of Minnesota – the point guard position is wide open. Considering that the Timberwolves traded away former 5^th pick Kris Dunn. Not to mention that Tyus Jones is not an NBA starter in this league, and maybe never will be. With that being said, the Wolves will need to fill in the starting point guard position via free agency, or trade.

More than likely it will be filled in through free agency due to the fact that the Wolves truly don’t have many assets anymore other than Gorgui Dieng.

The Timberwolves have had their eyes set on a few point guards. They will be looking to sign players such as George Hill, Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Jrue Holiday.

It’s been reported by Bleacher Report that Holiday is going to most likely sign the five-year deal from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jeff Teague is 29 years old – averaging 15 points a game, almost 8 assists a game, 4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and a 35 percent from three.

In a recent report, it is confirmed that the Wolves will be signing Jeff Teague through ESPN reporter Marc Stein shows:

There is no doubt that Teague would be an upgrade shooting wise. In which the Timberwolves desperately need shooting and spacing. Teague could help in that area as he can be a player who can knock down shots. Helping the spacing and shooting issue Rubio could never bring to the team.

Not to mention he would be a lot cheaper than the likes of Lowry and Holiday.

According to Darren Wolfson from KSTP,  the Wolves could benefit greatly from signing Teague. Not only can they help such a catastrophic bench with the money saved, but they are adding a veteran who has been to the playoffs. Whether it was in Atlanta or in Indiana, Teague is a veteran who understands winning. He’s been around All-Star’s Paul George and Paul Millsap, which is very beneficial to a player’s career.

Teague will likely attract a 3-year deal from the Wolves worth $15-$20 million.

At midnight on July 1^st, the start of free-agency will begin and baring any problem, Teague will be the newest member of the team.

The Wolves starting lineup would like: Teague-Wiggins-Butler-Dieng-Towns

This would be a fun lineup too watch this next season, as the Wolves look to be a playoff team.

My Opinion:

I think Rubio was a valuable player to keep on this team because he had a cheaper contract and played good defense.  As well as he was a good distributor for this team, especially with three players on the team demanding the ball.

The Timberwolves lack shooting however, and with 3-point shooting being a big thing in today’s NBA, it was almost a necessity to move him if they want to create more floor spacing.

I am glad that they are signing Teague because he can shoot the ball, play defense and brings leadership to this team. He won’t be demanding a huge contract like some of the other point guards entering free agency which is a huge bonus for this team.

Considering all of these things, I feel that this is a great move for the Timberwolves as they are trying to build a better shooting, deep playoff run team. Adding Teague helps with your goal.

However, I believe that the Timberwolves could have received more for this trade. But what’s done is done and nothing can change that now. It’s time to look forward to get excited this upcoming season, as fans and the team are playoff hopeful.

Reactions:

Some reactions from people across the Twittersphere:

https://twitter.com/WolvesDen2000/status/880898153549115393

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves should have drafted Terrance Ferguson

A lot of people have mixed emotions about Rubio, but nothing bad has been said so far about him after the trade. People will miss his exciting passes and heart for the game. Rubio was a big part of this team and looks to build a better career in Utah.