THE RUMOR: The Sacramento Kings are interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio.
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SOURCE: Darren Wolfson, KSTP Radio, Minneapolis.
DETAILS: After drafting Kris Dunn out of Providence in the lottery this year, the Timberwolves may be interested in attaining assets for point guard Rubio. The Spain international, who is currently playing at the Olympics in Rio, would be a good replacement for Rajon Rondo, who left Sacramento for the Chicago Bulls. Darren Collison and Garrett Temple are the only other point guards the Kings' current roster.
Here's what Wolfson had to say on his radio show:
"As (Wolves owner) Glen Taylor said on this podcast a couple episodes ago, Ricky Rubio will start the season with the Wolves. But I can tell you, as I’ve said a number of times, the Sacramento Kings are a team to watch. Vlade Divac, George Karl, now George Karl into Dave Joerger. Keep an eye on the Sacramento Kings if slash when the Wolves decide to make a move on Ricky. But, again, nothing is imminent. Ricky Rubio will be with the Wolves opening night."
LAST SEASON: Rubio averaged 10.1 points, 8.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Coincidentally, he has also averaged 10.1 points per game through his first five NBA seasons. However, the 25-year-old shot just 37 percent from the floor last season. That is a big area of concern for him.
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OUR TAKE: Rubio cannot shoot. In fact, when he's on the floor, opposing teams sink in and focus on other players. With rising stars such as Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns on board, Minnesota doesn't need a score-first point guard. But they need someone who can put the ball in the basket more efficiently than Rubio.
It remains to be seen what the Timberwolves would get for Rubio in this deal. Rudy Gay has been under trade speculation for the last couple seasons, but Sacramento would likely want more that just Rubio for Gay's services.
Rubio would be similar to Rondo in Sacramento's system, so adding him makes sense. He wouldn't make the Kings playoff contenders, though.