The Minnesota Timberwolves have picked back up on the Kevin Love trade talks with the Warriors and Cavaliers and as that goes on, Ricky Rubio is asking for a max contract and if that fails to materialize, Rubio could be traded as well with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, NY Knicks, LA Lakers and Boston Celtics potential landing spots.
The Timberwolves are looking to keep Rubio, as Kevin Love is one step out the door already and they want to have at least one star there for the long haul. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rubio is looking for a five year max extension and the report says that the point guard is using the leverage of Kevin Love potentially leaving to try and get a deal done. According to ESPN.com, Love is a trade target for the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers heading into the back stretch of the summer and Golden State has re-engaged in talks after breaking off earlier around the draft. The Wolves want Andrew Wiggins or Klay Thompson in any deal and that is what is holding things up.
Rubio is a very exciting player and an athletic point guard, but he has not put up max contract stats in his career and while he is hoping to sign a major deal, he is still just 23 years old. The team until the October deadline to get a deal done and as long as he is not signed, trade rumors will continue to float around with Rubio and Love. The Chicago Bulls likely don't need a deal like this, but they still are lacking another scorer alongside Derrick Rose and if he is injured again, this trade could be an option.
The Houston Rockets are reportedly targeting Rajon Rondo, but if the Boston Celtics continue to rebuff offers, Daryl Morey could look at Rubio as a consolation prize. The Rockets missed out on Chris Bosh and did not match the deal for Chandler Parsons and now they are hoping to add another star and Rubio could be an option. Rubio still has plenty of room for improvement and it comes after he averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game last season. Rubio is set to be a restricted free agent after the 2016 season and the team will be looking to lock him up or trade him before that.
The Wolves have been patient regarding Love and while some execs feel that is the wrong approach, the team is hoping to make one more run at him to sign an extension or at least to play out his contract until next season. Love has been one of the most consistent young players in the league and he is coming off of a great season while averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds and also factoring into the MVP voting. The Wolves don't want to make these deals, but as time goes by they may not have a choice, as losing Love for nothing in free agency isn't the best way to build back a franchise and make the playoffs.