Could Ricky Rubio fit in the Bucks future?
By Joe Dexter
Everyone knows that the Bucks are vetting their future on what Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo can become over the next few seasons.
But what about a third piece that can help develop them?
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Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio has been the topic of discussion recently, as Minnesota and the rest of the league figure out his value as he heads into an upcoming season that ends in restricted free agency.
Grantland’s Zach Lowe touched on the subject in his recent submission to his NBA Windows series. Like Brandon Knight and the Bucks, the amount of time for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make a decision on an extension is coming up soon.
Rubio will draw plenty of interest before the trade deadline and heading into the free agent period, if the Wolves decide that he isn’t a part of their long term plans.
Lowe likes the idea of Rubio teaming up with the coaching of Jason Kidd to be the ultimate point guard to dish off to his blooming superstars.
"Environmentally, I don’t know if trading Minneapolis for Milwaukee is such a huge difference, but I like the idea of pairing Rubio with Jason Kidd (no, I don’t know why I am ascribing Jason Kidd the powers of point guard whisperer, but let’s just go with it), and I LOVE the idea of pairing Ricky with Giannis, Jabari, and LARRY SANDERS!"
Rubio landing in Milwaukee is a long shot. He and his managment will be looking for a bigger market for him to land in than Minnesota.
They’re also looking for a max five-year $85 million deal.
Wolves president and head coach Flip Saunders has reportedly offered Rubio a four-year 48 million dollar deal. Further adding intrigue and question of what Rubio’s true value is.
Like the case has been many times in Milwaukee, Rubio might have some true value to Saunders and company. The Wolves though have to be selective with their cash flow with the future mostly on rookie contracts.
"The Timberwolves don’t want to give Rubio a five-year deal because they are only allowed to extend one player on the roster for a contract that long — all others must be four-year deals. With good young talent like this year’s top pick, Andrew Wiggins, on hand, general manager Flip Saunders doesn’t want to tie up his five-year extension in Rubio.There’s also the question of performance. Rubio, a very good defensive player and a great playmaker, rates as second in the league in steals and fourth in assists. But he has not developed as a scorer, averaging just 9.5 points last season and shooting just 38.1 percent for his career. For all he does well, it would be hard to justify a max deal for someone who has just not gotten better offensively.Of course, Rubio could play the long game here. If he can’t get an extension now, then perhaps he will put together a much-improved season and bolster his value for next summer, when he would be a restricted free agent entering a market in which much of the league will have cap space."
The Wolves and Rubio have until the end of October to figure out an extension, but it seems very unlikely.
One factor that has to be in Milwaukee’s favor if the Wolves ever look to deal him is their head coach. Rubio has struggled with his jump shot ever since he’s entered the NBA.
Yet he continues to awe fans with his passing ability and flash at an elite point guard level.
Beyond the flash and glamour of the fifth best assist man in the league last season was the sixth best assist to turnover ratio.
His assists per 48 minutes played ranked third — behind Chris Paul and current Milwaukee Buck Kendall Marshall.
As the Bucks continue to build their future, they’ll continue to evaluate the point guard position. They have a decision of their own to make on Brandon Knight, and if he can hold down the fort as the franchise floor general.
If not, Rubio would be a perfect fit for the Bucks.
Gregg Poppovich and his staff of superheroes might be able to throw any average basketball player into a pot of pixie dust and make them great shooters.
But Bucks head coach Jason Kidd has been in the same position Rubio is.
Like Rubio, Kidd battle injuries early in his career with Dallas and Phoenix. He had a hard time finding his mid-range jumper and added scoring with consistency.
After years of putting in the work, his jump shot developed into one of his biggest weapons.
After shooting 27% from three his rookie year and 38% from the field in his first two seasons, Kidd finished his career with the third most three point field goals in NBA history.
Who knows how much power Kidd really has in the front office, but it’s hard to believe that he’d want to pass on developing a player that is a near spitting image of him.
It’s hard to imagine Rubio wearing Bucks colors anytime soon.
Yet, it’s fun to imagine him dropping off passes to Jabari Parker and flipping alley-oops to Mr. Alphabet.
It’s a dream world thinking that Rubio would want to make lateral move after playing in Minnesota despite doing everything he could to avoid it.
For Bucks fans though, it’s one worth living in.