Timberwolves send Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz

The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz.

Bye, bye mister Spanish guy. After years and years of speculation, which has been turned up even more after the arrival of Tom Thibodeau to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio is finally no longer a member of the pack. Ricky Rubio is now a member of the Utah Jazz and the Timberwolves got a first round pick for him in return.

Thiboudeau said this in the press release announcing the move about Rubio.

"“We’d like to thank Ricky for his time in Minnesota over the course of the last six-plus years. Ricky has been a consummate professional over my time in Minnesota and has done tremendous things in the community. We appreciate all he’s done for the organization and wish him the best of luck in Utah.”"

Rubio has spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Timberwolves. The Spaniard was drafted in the 2009 Draft during the most infamous David Kahn fiasco with Minnesota taking Rubio and fellow point guard Johnny Flynn with back to back picks which were followed immediately by Golden State’s selection of Stephen Curry. That Curry fella has done okay for himself.

Rubio has been decent in his NBA career. He probably entered the league with higher expectations than what should have been put on him after playing professionally in Spain as a teenager. His flashy passing was his main calling card and that translated well to the NBA. His lack of a shooting touch was likely his downfall in Minnesota.

Concerning the shooting and scoring, Rubio did have his best points per game average for a season with an 11.1 points per mark this last season. Rubio also averaged 9.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game during the 2016-17 campaign.

For his career to date, Rubio is averaging 10.3 points, 8.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

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Rubio has been rumored to be leaving the Wolves before he even got over to America. Recently the hot steam was for him to be sent to the New York Knicks, but that was happening before Phil Jackson was canned.

Rubio now heads to Utah which may be heading towards a rebuilding season with a good possibility of Gordon Hayward heading to the Boston Celtics or Miami Heat via free agency.

Now what for the Wolves?

The Timberwolves get a first round pick for Rubio and no for sure starting point guard at the immediate conclusion of the trade. The Rubio trade leaves Tyus Jones as the only true point guard on the Wolves roster before free agency hits on Friday night.

Allegedly, the Wolves will be bringing in Jeff Teague as the Rubio replacement.

We’ll just have to wait and  see.

Next: The Jimmy Butler move is the right move

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