Minnesota Timberwolves: Who Will Be Ricky Rubio's Favorite Option?

The NBA lockout is currently in place, and so are the Minnesota Timberwolves' play-makers.

Minnesota already possesses the 2010-11 Most Improved Player in Kevin Love, the undoubtedly talented Michael Beasley, 2010 NBA Draft lottery pick Wesley Johnson and the potential-filled Anthony Randolph.

Joining the crew next season will be the highly-touted Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio and the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, Derrick Williams.

There is no denying that next year's team will be a fun one to watch, to say the least, but who will become the dynamic duo that puts on a show night after night, game after game? 

Ricky Rubio will certainly be a part of that duo with his effortless ball-handling skills and flashy passes, but the fellow Timberwolf who will be his favorite offensive weapon remains to be seen.  

5. SG/SF Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson will be Ricky Rubio's partner in the backcourt next season, and he ranks fifth on this list. 

His biggest help to Rubio will be his ability to knock down the three-pointer and run the floor.

The Wolves want to have a faster tempo next season, which means more fastbreaks for Rubio and Johnson to take advantage of. Fastbreaks lead to open three-pointers and easy buckets at the rim. 

Johnson doesn't rank higher on this list due to his inconsistency, but as long as Johnson does his job, the backcourt in Minnesota will be a fun one to pay attention to.  

4. SF/PF Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams was a high draft pick out of Arizona this past month, and rightly so. He's got all the tools to be successful in the NBA, and playing alongside a pass-first point guard like Ricky Rubio can only help that notion.

Williams moves well without the ball and can make the three-point shot as well as bang in the post. This makes him a tough guard for the opposition, and Rubio will make sure to get him the basketball. Williams, a player that can do almost everything on the court, will attract the ball from Rubio.

Williams is also a fierce player on the fastbreak. Minnesota will be an effective team on the run next season, so the combination of Rubio and Williams can only end up in success.  

These two rookies will most likely put together a nice campaign and compose plenty of highlight reel plays in the process. Whether it be monstrous alley-oops or quick cuts to the basket, the duo of Rubio and Williams will be exciting for everyone who watches.

Williams ranks fourth on this list because he may not start most of the games next season, which limits the amount of minutes he and Rubio get together.

3. SF Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley loves to have the ball in his hands, but he'll still be a dangerous weapon for the Wolves with Ricky Rubio running the offense.

Beasley will continue to be the marksman from the mid-range. The only difference from last season to next season is that Rubio will be dropping assists to him in the process.

Beasley is also very aggressive when it comes to driving the lane. Spectators will speak volumes as to how Rubio will affect the pick-and-roll game for Kevin Love, but they shouldn't forget about Beasley in the process. He will take the chances Rubio gives him and look to finish strong at the rim.

The duo of Rubio and Beasley will be an exciting one, but it only ranks as high as third due to the two play-makers ahead of him.

2. PF Kevin Love

Kevin Love went from being the man behind Al Jefferson's shadow, to the starting power forward on the Minnesota Timberwolves, to the Most Improved Player of 2010-11, to now being the cornerstone of the franchise. 

His success is a result of the particular game he plays. Love is arguably the best rebounder in basketball and pairs that with one of the best three-point shots a power forward possesses in the game today. Add those two opinions to the idea of him playing pick-and-roll basketball with Ricky Rubio and he may be even better than most thought.

Rubio's half-court game is most effective in a pick-and-roll offense, and Love is a player that can pick and pop. This meaning that Love can set the pick, but instead of rolling with Rubio towards the basket, he'll move to an open area on the floor to receive a pass and "pop" a jump shot. He's a rare player in that he's intelligent enough to execute this play while also make the shot.

The offensive game will be very good with Rubio and Love in the pick-and-roll offense, but Love's lack of athleticism only gets him to be ranked second on this list.   

1. C/PF Anthony Randolph

To make an imperfect yet intriguing comparison, the twosome of Ricky Rubio and Anthony Randolph could be similar to the one of Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire with the Phoenix Suns several seasons ago.

Randolph has as much potential as anyone in the NBA right now. When Kevin Love went down to a season-ending injury at the end of last season, Randolph showed what he can do when given starters' minutes and he made the most of them by playing great basketball.

This offseason, Randolph has been rumored to have gained 10-20 pounds of added weight in order to play center next season. If this is the case, then Rubio has found his favorite offensive weapon in AR15.

Randolph can spread the floor with his mid-range jump shot, drive the lane, and also track down tall passes. Randolph's ability to elevate to a high level will allow Rubio to toss the basketball up to him for the alley-oop and throw-down. This makes it easier for Rubio to have confidence in the big man down low.

Rubio also likes to drive the lane and dish a pass off to a post presence. Randolph can be that presence and dunk the ball for an easy score. 

The relationship between both of these humble players will grow and blossom into a special one for the Timberwolves. Randolph will be Rubio's favorite option in Minnesota.