Ricky Rubio and the Timberwolves are reportedly far apart in contract extension talks. http://t.co/y7eeRuulu5 pic.twitter.com/XOdIHApzI6
— theScore (@theScore) September 21, 2014
There still appears to be some distance between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ricky Rubio as the two parties continue to discuss a contract extension.
According to 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson, the Wolves are willing to offer Rubio a contract in the range of four years and $42 million. But the guard’s agents are looking for a 5-year, maximum contract for Rubio.
Re: Rubio, @Adam_Kuhn @2_Shoe – #Twolves would do a 4-yr deal in $42M range. That hasn't changed. Agents see NYK/LAL w/ cap space next year.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 23, 2014
Fegan/Jarinn Akana will gladly extend for the max. #twolves RT @2_Shoe: @DarrenWolfson any indication of Rubio reluctance to re-sign w/ MN?
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 23, 2014
Rubio would be eligible for the rookie maximum extension, which takes up 25 percent of a team’s salary cap figure, according to Sports Illustrated. But the exact numbers of that deal wouldn’t be known until next summer.
If the sides don’t reach an agreement before the Oct. 31 deadline, Rubio will become a restricted free agent at the end of next season.
The challenge with figuring out Rubio’s contract is that while he has been one of the best defensive point guards in the league, his shooting woes have persisted. For his career, Rubio is shooting less than 37 percent from the floor and just 32 percent from the three-point line.
According to CBS Sports, it’s not hard to imagine Rubio ending up in a similar situation to Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe.
Bledsoe, whom the Wolves have also expressed interest in recently, is also seeking a max deal from Phoenix. His agents have also reportedly turned down a deal in the neighborhood of 4 years and $48 million. Bledsoe has not received that kind of interest on the open market and has been in a standoff with Phoenix.
He could end up signing a $3.7 million qualifying offer with the Suns for the season, then test the market as an unrestricted free agent next year.
Similarly, while playing the season without an extension in place would be a risk for Rubio, his agents may believe Rubio’s price tag could go up if he has a better offensive season under Flip Saunders.
Barring extensions though, CBS Sports notes there appears to be a number of starting-caliber free agent point guards on the market next summer including Rajon Rondo, Kemba Walker, Reggie Jackson Brandon Knight and Jeremy Lin.
