Rumors are currently swirling that the Sacramento Kings are interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio and a deal could be imminent as both teams try to finalize their roster before their respective training camps.
The Kings lost starting point guard Rajon Rondo this summer after the former Celtic NBA champion decided to leave them to go back to the Eastern Conference this time with the Chicago Bulls.
Rondo's departure left Sacramento with only one reliable floor general in Darren Collison, who can also play as a shooting guard if needed.
New head coach Dave Joerger is definitely short on his playmaking options this coming season and so the rumors about his team's interest on snagging the young veteran Spaniard makes sense from a basketball standpoint.
Meanwhile, Sporting News indicated that since the Wolves have drafted former Providence standout Kris Dunn as the fifth overall selection last June, Minnesota had been considering the idea of "attaining assets" in exchange for Rubio.
Wolves officials are said to be ready to move on from Rubio as they believe that Dunn will develop into a starting point guard quickly in first season in the league.
It should also be noted that Rubio had recently told reporters that he will seek a trade or a way out of the ballclub if Minnesota does not qualify to the playoffs next year, which is another factor that could force the team to pull the plug on the Spanish sensation.
The report mentioned, though, that according to owner Glen Taylor "nothing is imminent" when it comes to dealing Rubio and that the 25-year-old point guard will stay "with the Wolves opening night", although recent rumors are saying otherwise.
Yahoo Sports reported that it is still not clear what the Wolves would get from the Kings in return for giving up Rubio as Sacramento seemed short on assets to trade at the moment.
Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore had been on the Kings' trading block lately, but it would be difficult to formulate a trade scenario involving the two players.
Rubio had just finished his fifth year with the Wolves last season, all without playoff appearances. He averaged 10.1 points, 8.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals in 76 games in 2015-2016.
