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Wolves should sell high on Ricky Rubio

By Jake Andersen

Mar 30, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) points to a teammate after making a three point shot in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) points to a teammate after making a three point shot in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Knicks reportedly are interested again in Wolves point guard Ricky Rubio and the Wolves need to sell high on their starting point guard.

When I see Ricky Rubio trade rumors, I expect to see him in a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey. Over the last couple of the years, the Wolves have reportedly been involved in many Rubio trade talks with nothing to show from them.

The latest interest in Rubio by the Knicks comes as no surprise since they almost swapped Derrick Rose for Rubio straight up prior to the trade deadline last February.

Of course, that trade scenario isn’t necessarily in play anymore, as Rose is heading into free agency. But, there is still the possibility that a sign-and-trade could be worked out, especially with recent news of the Wolves’ interest in Rose.

Yet, a Rose-for-Rubio swap is not a great deal at all.

Yes, Rose is a more efficient scorer, but his knees have not endured more than 66 games since the 2010 season. On top of that, Rubio has better defensive numbers, averages more assists, and takes half the amount of shots, a good thing with the likes of Zach Lavine, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl Anthony-Towns in town.

Acquiring Rose also wouldn’t be ideal for the development of 2016 first round pick Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones, especially if he is not okay with playing in a reserve role. On the other hand, Rubio isn’t ideal for their development either, making a trade necessary.

So, what should the Wolves look for in a trade with the Knicks?

Well, I have a scenario that benefits the team far greater than a Rose-for-Rubio deal and that deal calls for the Knicks’ 8th overall pick and Courtney Lee.

In this swap, the Wolves sell high on their starting point guard and rightfully so. Rubio is a reliable, consistent starting point guard that showed improvement at the end of last season.

In fact, Rubio averaged 16.0 points and 10.5 assists after the All-Star break, while shooting 42 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from the 3-point stripe, according to ESPN. Now, call it a fluke if you want, but Rubio is capable of producing around 10 points and 8.5 assists a night and at 26, there’s no reason to believe he can’t continue to improve his game.

Additionally, Rubio is under contract for two more seasons in the 14 to 15 million dollar range, very reasonable considering the salary cap expansion and increasing value of players.

With Kristaps Porzingis, Guillermo Hemangomez and Carmelo Anthony on the Knicks roster, the Knicks need a young point guard like Rubio that can put them in prime positions to score.

With this in mind, the Wolves need to seek a Knicks offer of the eighth overall pick and Lee, nothing less.

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By getting the Knicks’ eighth overall pick, the Wolves add another first rounder, giving them back-to-back picks, seventh and eighth overall. They can use that as ammunition for a bigger trade, either for a veteran or to move up in the draft, or to take two players in a deep draft class. Either way, there’s potential for a great addition(s).

In Lee, the Wolves get a valuable, veteran shooting guard off the bench that can play solid defense and shoot the ball from the 3-point line. For his career, he is shooting 38.6 percent from three, while shooting over 40 percent in six of his 11 seasons.

He would also provide leadership and guidance for the Wolves’ younger players and hopefully help them get over the hump and into the playoffs for the first time since the 2003 season.

According to Spotrac, Lee’s salary averages around 12 million for the next three seasons, so trading Lee would free up cap space for the Knicks, as they seem to be heading towards a rebuild. Additionally, Rubio is five years younger than Lee (31), so the Knicks won’t have to worry about him slowing down any time soon.

While I don’t expect the Knicks to actually offer this deal, I wouldn’t settle for anything less if I am Tom Thibodeau and the Timberwolves. In Rubio, they have a legitimate starting point guard entering his prime that needs to be valued as such.

If not, take a pass because Rubio is too valuable of a player to not get something of equal or greater value.

Next: Wolves need to pass on Derrick Rose

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