The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Providence point guard Kris Dunn No. 5 overall, likely signalling the end of the road for Ricky Rubio, who was also a No. 5 overall pick in 2009.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports the Timberwolves have been trying to trade Rubio all week leading up to the draft and that his tenure is likely over.
Minnesota has been shopping Ricky Rubio throughout the week. His future in Minnesota is likely coming to an end.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2016
Interestingly, Minnesota was in trade talks with the Chicago Bullls right up until the No. 5 pick was announced. Jimmy Butler was being shopped for the pick. But the Bulls reportedly wanted up-and-coming guard Zach LaVine, rather than Rubio, as well as Dunn at No. 5 for Butler, per Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Vertical Sources: Chicago and Minnesota talks for Jimmy Butler broke down. Bulls wanted Zach LaVine, not Ricky Rubio.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2016
That the Timberwolves are ready to move on from Rubio is not surprising. He never really lived up to the hype, but that’s not to say he doesn’t still hold value in the NBA in the right situation.
Still just 25, the Spaniard has been a reliable distributor and solid all-around point guard, averaging 10.1 points, 8.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.
It stands to reason that the Timberwolves will be able to find a trade partner after the draft if he is still on the roster.