Timberwolves GM: No Ricky Rubio Trade Talks

Milt Newton, the general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, attempted to put an end to all of the speculation surrounding point guard Ricky Rubio on Media Day.

According to Newton, Rubio is nowhere near the trade block.

Minny inked the 24-year-old guard to a four-year, $56 million contract extension in 2014—Rubio missed 60 games last season due to a severe left ankle injury.

Per the AP:

Last year was miserable on all fronts. For the Timberwolves, who won an NBA-worst 16 games, and for Rubio, who played only 22 games because of a severe ankle injury.

 

“We’re not talking to anybody about trading Ricky,” Newton said. “We expect Ricky to be an integral part of our team this season. We expect him to be here come training camp and leading our team.” […] “He’s one of the best facilitators in the NBA,” Newton said. “We’ve got a young team of guys that are athletic, that are going to get up and down. And we’re going to utilize those talents that they have. Who better than Ricky to be the one leading the charge, pushing the pace, pushing the ball and getting our guys easy opportunities and getting the ball where they can be their best? We’re looking to him to be that person.”

 

Last year the woeful Wolves were outscored by 9.8 points per 100 possessions. But in the 22 games Rubio played, they were only outscored by 1.6, a huge disparity and by far the best rating of any Wolves player to play more than 10 games. When Rubio was off the court, the Wolves’ net rating was minus-11.5.