4:22pm: The Jazz are able to absorb Rubio’s $13.6MM contract today, but only today. As of tomorrow, the official start of the 2017/18 campaign, a Rudy Gobert raise coupled with some cap holds would push Utah’s payroll higher.
4:16pm: Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press has tweeted that the deal is done and awaiting league approval. The 2018 first-rounder from OKC will be Top-14 protected, ESPN’s Marc Stein says.
4:05pm: Jody Genessey of the Deseret News has relayed a report from Zone Sports Networks’ Spencer Checketts that Utah will send Oklahoma City’s first-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for Rubio.
4:00pm: Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune tweets that the Rubio trade “is happening”, noting that the deal is close to being done. It hasn’t, however, been formally confirmed yet.
3:45pm: The Jazz and Timberwolves are actively discussing a deal in which Ricky Rubio would head to Utah, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets.
It’s unclear what would be heading back to Minnesota in the exchange but the news that Rubio could be on the move isn’t exactly groundbreaking. Despite the fact that the Timberwolves have already traded away two point guards this month, Rubio’s name has been a mainstay in trade rumors since the Wolves drafted Kris Dunn last June.
Much can and has been inferred from the news of these ongoing Rubio negotiations. Zach Lowe of ESPN tweets that this could mean George Hill will be unlikely to return to Utah. If nothing else, he adds, it will give the team leverage in contract negotiations with the 31-year-old.
The deal also lends credence to a theory that the Timberwolves could be serious contenders to pursue Kyle Lowry. Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post echoed the sentiments of The Athletic’s Eric Koreen suggesting as much shortly after the negotiations were made public.
In a separate tweet, Eric Koreen says that, Minnesota unloading Rubio, coupled with revoking the Shabazz Muhammad‘s qualifying offer would free up about $32MM for the organization.
George hill sign and trade ?
No need. The Timberwolves are under the cap right now.
I know it’s a pipe dream but I’d really like to see Rubio +some stuff for Favors
Rubio and deing for favors and hill?
I thin Thibs likes Deing too much to move him, maybe shabazz?
Oh my god Rubio is fix to jazz only for a 2018 first round pick helll noooo
Its about time. Rubio rumors have been going on for 5 years.
Agreed. Rubio has been linked to supposed trades for years. I actually think that Rubio has been linked to every team over the past few years. That is crazy.
Risky move,could make Hayward leave
Why would that make Hayward leave? If anything, it makes him stay.
He supposedly expressed interest in the Jazz retaining George Hill. Kind of like recruiting his team to resign a guy even though he was looking elsewhere too.
Ahh
On one hand, I’m happy for Rubio– he doesn’t have to deal with constant trade rumors anymore. On the other hand, I’m pretty upset. He’s coming off arguably the best season of his career, meshing with the team’s top talent, and we traded away our only other viable PG options. The D. Rose rumors worry me. There’s no way the Timberwolves can rely on him to give consistent minutes while clearly in win-now mode.
My exact thoughts. Happy he doesn’t have to deal with the bull anymore. Also, he didn’t fit with the wolves anymore after trading Zachary and getting jimmy. I hope the wolves get Teague at a reasonable price. I don’t want to give 32 year old Lowry a max contract.
God damn auto correct.
So gross. The lottery protected part is just a slap in the face.
Horrible trade Thibs, what a fricken joke
That’s reeeeeally risky. Not sure if he’s an upgrade over George Hill.
He’s not but he’s much cheaper
T-Wolves should flip the pick to the Clippers for Beverley if they can’t sign Lowry and then just run Jimmy as the primary ball handler
Agreed
T Wolves just wanted Rubio’s contract off the books so they can make a run at a FA PG. They’ve been linked to Lowry, Holliday, Hill, Teague. I think Rose would be there fall back option if they can’t sign 1 of the big names
How bad does this hurt them in resigning Hayward if at all just asking
Because I read something earlier that said he would really like the to resign Hill
I don’t see the fit for Utah at all. I also think Hayward leaves now. Rubio can’t shoot. He needs to be around shooters. I’m surprised they got the 1st rounder back, even though it was lottery protected. Just a weird move from Utah’s perspective in several ways
Terrible trade. Rubio was worth more than they got back. I hope when the Jazz come to town he has 30 assists.
WHY they don’t need another scorer and Rubio would have been able to run that offense perfectly