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The Minnesota TImberwolves are in need of a point guard.
Ricky Rubio is on the move, and the Timberwolves now only have one point guard on their roster. The Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones reported the Jazz have acquired Rubio in exchange for a protected 2018 first round pick. The trade saves the Timberwolves over $14 million in cap space, and could allow Minnesota to be active in free agency.
USA Today’s Sam Amick reported the Timberwolves are the favorites to land Jeff Teague in free agency.
Updated intel on Minnesota front: expectation from folks who would know is that Jeff Teague is heavy, heavy favorite with T-Wolves.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2017
Teague would immediately slide into the starting point guard role if the Timberwolves are able to sign him. Here’s a look at the current Timberwolves roster. Minnesota’s free agents are listed in italics, and the rookies are also noted.
C- Gorgui Dieng, Cole Aldrich, Jordan Hill, Nikola Pekovic, Justin Patton (R)
PF- Karl-Anthony Towns, Omri Casspi (FA), Adreian Payne (FA), Nemanja Bjelica
SF- Jimmy Butler, Shabazz Muhammad (FA)
SG- Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Rush (FA)
PG- Tyus Jones
Minnesota entered the off-season with three point guards, but Tyus Jones remains the lone floor general on the roster after two consecutive trades. Even if the Timberwolves are able to sign Teaugue, fans could see Minnesota sign another point guard as well.
Rubio was constantly linked to various teams in trade rumors throughout his six years in Minnesota. Rubio still has two more years left on his current contract. According to Spotrac, he is slated to make $14.1 million next season, and $14.8 million during the 2018-19 season.
With the increased value of shooting in the NBA, Minnesota seemed willing to part with the young point guard despite Rubio having plenty of good basketball left. The addition of Butler created lots of intrigue around the Minnesota team, but the Timberwolves must acquire more guards.
They have five centers on the roster with the addition of rookie Justin Patton. Fans can expect this will not be the case by the time the season rolls around.
The fact the Timberwolves were willing to trade Rubio for just a protected first rounder signals they likely have something in the works in free agency. This trade has all the appearances of a trade made strictly to clear more room for the start of free agency.
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