Ricky Rubio could be seeing the writing on the wall. The point guard has yet to lock down a long-term contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves as restricted free agency looms next summer. To make matters worse, the Timberwolves were looking to make a trade for Eric Bledsoe to become the next franchise star. So, as Rubio prepares to possibly exit Minnesota, where will he land?
The issue for Rubio is that his future is not in his control. The point guard will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Timberwolves can match any offer made on him by another team. This is the perfect set up for a summer of plenty of drama for Rubio who could find himself in a similar position as Greg Monroe. Several teams might not be willing to even make an offer on him for fear that Minnesota will simply match it and Rubio will be locked in for several years to come. He could easily end up signing a qualifying agreement which will have him be an unrestricted free agent come the summer of 2016. However, Rubio is hoping to either get a max contract from the Timberwolves or go somewhere else that will pay him.
According to CBS Sports' writer Darren Wolfson, Rubio has his eyes on the New York Knicks as a potential landing spot. The idea makes sense. New York will have a large amount of salary cap space to work with after Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani get off the books. They are also not totally set at the position for the future. The Knicks have Jose Calderon who will start this upcoming season, but the New York Daily News has already suggested that he could be traded at some point this season. Calderon is a solid player with an affordable contract and the Knicks are not completely invested in his future.
In terms of money, the Lakers will be eyeing Rubio. Along with the Knicks, they will have some of the most salary cap space in the league next summer. Both Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin will be gone. They missed getting Bledsoe, so unless Rajon Rondo is an option, Rubio could be the desired target.
Rubio wants a max deal. The Timberwolves are not sold on giving him that amount of money and have already shown signs of looking to move on from the point guard. However, if they cannot land his replacement somehow, Rubio will find himself in negotiating drama trying to get a long-term contract from a team who has the upper hand for at least another year.
