NBA Trade Rumors: Ricky Rubio To Indiana Pacers? Minnesota Timberwolves Reluctant To Give Max Contract To Spanish Point Guard!

The NBA Trade Rumors continue and the hapless Indiana Pacers are once again seen as a possible destination. Ricky Rubio, who was ready to take the reins of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the departure of Kevin Love. Now he wants money to go with the role.

Ricky Rubio is up for an extension but there is a point of disagreement between him and the T-Wolves management. According to Sporting News:

"Rubio has been after a five-year contract with the Timberwolves, and though he'd like that deal to be a max, there is no doubt Minnesota won't go that high. In fact, while it has been reported that the two sides are far apart on a number, you can get a sense of just how far - league sources told Sporting News that the Timberwolves' best offer thus far has been four years in the range of $48 million."

Four years worth $ 48 million is the same amount that Kyle Lowry signed from the Toronto Raptors. It's a fair price for point guards considering that Lowry was probably the best point guard in the East. But it's also the amount that Eric Bledsoe refused with the Phoenix Suns. Bledsoe's hardline stance has since been rewarded as he got his max contract with his mother team. Now, it seems to have set a precedent.

Rubio is definitely not the franchise player the T-Wolves have in mind. They would rather wait for Andrew Wiggins to develop his potential. A lot of teams would be interested in Ricky Rubio. He would be an asset to any team.

From an analytical standpoint Grantland suggested that the Indiana Pacers would be a good fit:

"Rubio plays the game with so much joy. By the way, joy is a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. Between Paul George's injury, Lance Stephenson's departure, and Roy Hibbert's undoing, Indiana could use a little bit of it. Also, with the way Rubio shoots, I think it works for him to be playing so close to the Brickyard. Tip your waitress.

With his ball-hawk skills (2.3 steals per game last season), Rubio actually fits into the Pacers' defense-first philosophy. If there were ever a Larry Bird reclamation project, Rubio is it. If he can turn Stephenson into a borderline All-Star, imagine what he can do with Rubio."

Especially this year when George Hill and Rodney Stuckey would have to be more offensive minded, Rubio could be the taller point guard. It's a question on who they can offer the T-Wolves and are they willing to pay him long term.

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NBA Trade Rumors: Ricky Rubio
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