Luke Ridnour being shopped by the Timberwolves

Jan 19, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour (13) during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Target Center. Timberwolves won 92-79. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

With Ricky Rubio playing more minutes and inching closer to 100 percent, the Timberwolves can afford to trade one of their point guards.

According to Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops, Luke Ridnour is the likely player dealt before the trade deadline:

"Luke Ridnour is being shopped by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a league source told SheridanHoops.com “there is a good chance” the 10th-year point guard will be dealt before the Feb. 21 trade deadline."

In addition to Rubio and Ridnour, the Timberwolves also have JJ Barea and Alexey Shved. Shved is more of a combo guard, but can be relied on to run the point.

Sheridan reports Minnesota and Utah briefly discussed a Ridnour-Alec Burks deal, but it doesn’t appear likely to happen.

"A second source said the Timberwolves and Jazz had discussed a trade involving Utah guard Alec Burks, but said those talks had been tabled. Utah is in the market for a point guard with Mo Williams out until late March or early August and Earl Watson day to day with a foot injury."

According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, Utah has given some sort of assurance to Burks that he’s not going anywhere, at least not for Ridnour.

Minnesota could use help at just about every position besides point guard, but it would make sense for them to target a shooting guard for the long-term future. Shooting guard Brandon Roy is not expected to return for next season, as he appears set to retire after this year.