The deadline to get NBA players signed to a new contract is quickly approaching, meaning several teams are attempting to rush contract negotiations that likely went nowhere during the offseason. The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in that position with Ricky Rubio. The point guard wants a max contract while the Timberwolves are only looking to offer up four years at best. Trying to save money, the Timberwolves have opened negotiations with Rubio this week and might actually be getting somewhere.
According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com, the Timberwolves are nearing an extension with Rubio although it has yet to be reported how big the contract is. The point guard wants to be a max contract player. It has been reported several times that he is not willing to budge from those demands. The Timberwolves opted to trade away Kevin Love and now Rubio is the face of the franchise and he intends on getting paid as such.
Rubio is preparing to hit restricted free agency which could get difficult if he and the Timberwolves fail to agree on a deal. Minnesota wants to give the point guard a deal worth upwards four years and $48 million. Rubio wants five years. This has been the issue throughout the entire offseason. The Timberwolves have been trying to lock down Rubio for the long-term, but the two sides cannot come to an agreement. Players similar to Rubio like Kyrie Irving, Kenneth Faried and Nikola Vucevic have already signed their extensions and there was hope that Rubio would be the next.
With Love gone, the Timberwolves cannot afford to lose Rubio which could make his free agency tough. The point guard could be put in a similar situation as Greg Monroe where teams are afraid to make an offer knowing that the Timberwolves will just match it. The point guard could be forced into a one-year qualifying offer. With the new media right's deal coming into play, teams will have more money to spend on contracts. That could be why Minnesota wants to do a new deal now before they are forced to give Rubio more money.
If the two sides fail to come to an agreement, Rubio could be a big trade target at the midseason deadline. The Los Angeles Lakers would welcome him with open arms after Steve Nash was ruled out for the entire year. The Houston Rockets could be an option as well as the Indiana Pacers if Paul George returns. The chances Rubio signs a new deal by Friday seems slim, but the Timberwolves are optimistic.
