Minnesota Timberwolves: Projecting the new starting five

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Ricky Rubio #3 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz defend against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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Ricky Rubio is a solid offensive fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

POINT GUARD – Ricky Rubio

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Ricky Rubio in a trade that sent the 17th overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rubio’s story is an interesting one, being traded away from Minnesota several years ago only to be brought back after stints in Utah and Phoenix.

Ricky Rubio, as the starting point guard of the Phoenix Suns, averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and nine assists per game. He carried both a positive offensive and defensive box-plus-minus, positive offensive and defensive win shares, and was pretty good at spacing the floor (about 36-percent from three).

Coming off of a career season, Rubio just needs to maintain what he did for the Suns. He will have lots of spacing around him, and should be a joy to watch around some of the other, more electric players on the Timberwolves.

Starting Rubio should be a no-brainer – especially with the production he posted last season. While at times he can be inconsistent, playmaking is one of the most desired skills in the league currently, and bringing almost ten more assists to the starting lineup will absolutely help the Timberwolves moving forward.

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