Injuries have derailed a lot of Ricky Rubio’s potential, but the Timberwolves aren’t ready to give up on their still-young, 24-year-old point guard.
“We are not talking to anybody about trading Ricky,” Wolves general manager Milt Newton told the AP Friday.
Wolves GM Milt Newton tells AP that Rubio "is an integral part of our team" and "one of the best facilitators in the NBA."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) September 25, 2015
Newton was squashing rumors started by the Boston Globe and Bleacher Report in August about Minnesota being open to trading Rubio.
ESPN notes that Rubio, who signed a four-year, $56 million extension with the Wolves, has suffered serious injuries in two of his first four seasons in the NBA. He was limited to 22 games last season with a foot injury and two years prior he tore his ACL when he collided with Kobe Bryant.
An article from CBS Sports says it would be “weird” for Minnesota to trade Rubio now that he’s surrounded by a collection of talent, including budding superstar Andrew Wiggins and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Sports Illustrated listed Rubio among a group of players ready to breakout in 2015-16, adding that he’s already one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA.
The Timberwolves open training camp next week and kick things off with Media Day on Monday, Sept. 28. Rubio will be available for comment at that time.
