Ricky Rubio Rumored as 'Active Name' in Timberwolves' Trade Talks

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio is once again the subject of trade talks leading up to the 2017 NBA draft, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported Thursday.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday that the T-Wolves discussed a deal with the Dallas Mavericks involving Rubio and swingman Wesley Matthews, but that talks were considered "dead."

The 26-year-old Spaniard has often been involved in trade rumors in recent years, but a deal has never materialized.

Rubio is coming off his best statistical season, as he averaged a career-high 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in 2016-17 while shooting a career-best 40.2 percent from the field.

While Rubio had his moments alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the T-Wolves boast some younger and potentially more promising backcourt options than Rubio.

Chief among them are Zach LaVine and 2016 No. 5 overall draft pick Kris Dunn. While LaVine missed nearly half the season due to injury and Dunn played somewhat sparingly, they are both more economical assets than Rubio.

Per Spotrac, Rubio is set to make over $14 million annually in each of the next two seasons before becoming a free agent.

Minnesota has a supremely talented young core, and if it can manage to flip Rubio for a piece that fills a greater need, it has a chance to finally return to playoff contention in 2017-18 and beyond.