The Minnesota Timberwolves could look at a Ricky Rubio trade in the future as Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones develop at point guard and this comes as the Wolves are reportedly interested in signing Kendall Marshall as a free agent to add depth to the roster.
The Timberwolves are coming into the season after having the number one overall pick in the draft and they are looking to improve after winning the lottery and taking Karl-Anthony Towns. The team also added Jones in the draft and now the Wolves could bring in Marshall for some point guard depth. According to Fox Sports, Darren Wolfson reports that the Wolves could be an option for Marshall, as there has "been dialogue" between the team and the free agent guard.
Wolfson added that "his camp might've initiated" the talk, referring to Marshall, while the team has "ACL concern" after Marshall had surgery. NBA writer Jon Krawczynski reported for Associated Press that Flip Saunders has not spoken with Marshall about a deal and that the team has had "no conversations with Marshall at all." Marshall is coming in after playing in 28 games last season, averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 assists per game. Marshall played better after his trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 10 points and seven assists in those games.
Marshall could be a nice depth option for the Wolves and if the team eventually thinks about trading Rubio, he could be insurance with LaVine and Jones on the roster. Rubio likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but he came up in trade rumors last summer and could come up in talks again at the deadline this season. The Wolves gave Rubio and extension recently that pays him through 2018-19, but Wolfson reported earlier this summer that the Rockets were interested in acquiring Rubio.
A move with Houston is unlikely now after the team traded for Ty Lawson, but other teams could be options down the line. The Wolves have given Rubio numerous chances and he is still very young at 24 years old, but so far he has not lived up to his potential in Minnesota. Rubio has been unable to stay healthy on a consistent basis, playing in only one full season for the team in his career. If LaVine and/or Jones play well this season, Rubio could be a target on the trade market.
The Wolves signed back Kevin Garnett this offseason and while the team is in a hard rebuild, they feel that Garnett can help mentor the young roster. The team took Karl-Anthony Towns with the number one overall pick in the draft and the Wolves see him as a star in the making. The team had Andrew Wiggins already along with Anthony Bennett and that makes for three number one overall picks on the roster. Bennett has been up and down and still has some potential, while Wiggins is on his way to being a star after winning rookie of the year.
The combination of the young core for the Wolves along with Garnett makes this season a big year in the development of the team. Towns is going to play significant minutes as a rookie and the Wolves are hoping that he can follow Wiggins and win rookie of the year.
