Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio could soon hit the trading block as negotiations for a contract extension hit a snag, a source close to situation reported on Monday.
ESPN NBA insider Nick Borges reported that contract extension talks involving Wolves and Rubio are still at standstill, prompting several NBA teams to inquire on the availability of the pass-first point guard.
"Ricky Rubio is one of many young players hoping to sign an extension from his rookie-scale contract, but his negotiations with the management of the Minnesota Timberwolves is currently not going anywhere," Borges stated in his recent report on NBA Rumors Central on Monday.
Drafted fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, the 23-year old Rubio crafted a reputation as one of the finest passers in the game since he started his NBA career in 2011.
Aside from his passing ability, Rubio is also solid defender at the point guard position. However, his inability to knock down his jumpers efficiently really hurts his value in the market, according to most NBA analysts.
Reports indicated Rubio's camp has been asking a max contract extension that would pay him around $83 million over five years, but the Wolves wanted their next offer for their point guard pegged at around $48 million over three years.
The Wolves have until October 31 to lock up Rubio with a new contract. Failure to do so will allow the Spanish playmaker to test the market next summer as a restricted free-agent, which would still give the T-Wolves the rights to match any offer sheet from other teams.
Still, the risk of losing Rubio without compensation would be greater next offseason, as some teams could roll the dice and make a gamble by offering a 'crazy' contract that Minnesota cannot match.
ESPN NBA insider Darren Wolfson believed the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers are the frontrunners to sign Rubio if he becomes available next summer. These two big market teams are expected to have the resources, thanks to better financial flexibility, to go max on a talent like Rubio despite his flaws on the offensive end of the floor.
"#Twolves would do a 4-yr deal in $42M range. That hasn't changed. Agents see NYK/LAL w/ cap space next year," Wolfson reported.
However, many insiders believed the Wolves would not allow Rubio to walk away without getting quality assets in return. So like other soon-to-be free-agents, Rubio’s name will dominantly be floating around on trade discussion in the next three months, if contract extension talks collapses. Once he hits the trading block, expect the Lakers and Knicks to go all-in for Rubio before midseason trade deadline.
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