Minnesota Timberwolves acquire Ricky Rubio in Thunder trade
The Timberwolves have made their first trade of the night, acquiring a familiar face from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly acquired PG Ricky Rubio, the 25th pick, and the 28th pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a trade that sends the 17th pick to the Thunder, according to Jon Krawczyski.
Ricky Rubio was recently traded from the Phoenix in the Chris Paul trade. Rubio averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and nine assists for the Suns, on shooting splits of 42/36/86.
Rubio was traded from the Timberwolves to the Utah Jazz several years ago, and he joins the team presumably to become the primary facilitator, alongside D’Angelo Russell. The trade comes after the Timberwolves selected Georgia wing Anthony Edwards.\n
The Timberwolves have a guard heavy team and have easily become much more of a force in the Western Conference and their pursuit for a playoff spot.
Minnesota Timberwolves still have the 25th, 28th, and 33rd overall picks in the 2020 NBA Draft. Watch out for trades with those selections, though, as Gersson Rosas is seemingly exploring every trade opportunity imaginable.
Rubio was selected by the Timberwolves with a top-10 selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, just above fellow Wolves draftee Jonny Flynn and All-NBA guard Steph Curry.
Still, Rubio drastically improves the Minnesota guard room and will allow Russell to play more as an off-ball scorer. The pick-and-roll opportunities between he and Karl-Anthony Towns will be fun to watch, as well.
Next. Wolves take Anthony Edwards at 1. dark
Though he has improved as a shooter, the acquisition of Rubio puts the statuses of Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver in question. Neither are particularly good shooters, and playing in a lineup that features Rubio could interrupt the flow of what Ryan Saunders wants to do.