As all 30 teams in the NBA steadily reach the halfway point in the NBA season, rumors begin to swirl regarding available players around the league. The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 23rd, with many teams attempting to get an early start on possibly bolstering their roster.
One of the teams in the recent limelight is one that has been actively trying for quite some time. The 15-28 Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the rather big disappointments in the NBA this season, as their team hasn’t mustered many wins with new head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Timberwolves have been actively shopping veteran point guard Ricky Rubio for quite some time, attempting to get a return that can flourish alongside their three core players. A recently mentioned trade partners of theirs happens to be the Detroit Pistons.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Haynes, the Pistons are pondering acquiring Rubio for one of their own point guards:
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons have discussed a potential swap of point guards Ricky Rubio and Reggie Jackson, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN that no deal appeared imminent Friday but said the teams have engaged in dialogue this week on a potential multiplayer exchange that would be headlined by Rubio and Jackson.
Jackson started the season injured, as he was recovering from offseason knee surgery. The Pistons had a strong start to the season, but have actually declined since their starting point guard returned to action.
Rubio and Jackson would be the main acquisitions in the potential trade, as both teams will surely throw in multiple pieces in order to make the deal more enticing. It seems as though the Pistons aren’t shy in trading Jackson, who they signed to a five-year, $80 million deal this offseason.
With multiple scoring pieces already on the floor, it would make sense for Stan Van Gundy to acquire a veteran guard who can help orchestrate the offense and get his teammates involved. Though it should be noted that Van Gundy has denied the rumor and even texted Jackson that he wouldn’t be traded for Rubio.
On the other end, Jackson would bring over something that Rubio wasn’t able to consistently do. Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins both dominate with the ball in their hands, so the team needs a point guard that can be an off-ball shooter.
Rubio has two years remaining on his deal, worth upwards of $30 million. The Timberwolves interest in another point guard can viewed by some as troubling, seeing as how the team drafted Kris Dunn fifth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.
While Dunn is widely viewed as the point guard of the future, it remains to be seen what his role would be alongside Jackson if the trade were to go through.