Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Minnesota Timberwolves took a big step toward solidifying their future Friday, as they agreed to terms on a new contract with point guard Ricky Rubio.

The team released a statement on the extension:

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, provides contract details for the T'Wolves' deal with the 24-year-old star:

Rubio tweeted after the deal was reported:

The Spanish dynamo was a first-round pick by Minnesota in the 2009 NBA draft, but he didn't join the team until 2011. Rubio has shown flashes of brilliance and made big strides during his three full NBA seasons, but the organization is also paying for potential.

Rubio entered the 2014-15 campaign with career averages of just over 10 points and eight assists per game, but his field-goal percentage of .368 suggested that he needed to become more proficient on the offensive end.

The flashy ball-handler took steps toward accomplishing that last season with a career-high mark of 38.1 percent from the field. He also played an entire 82-game slate for the first time, which was huge for his development.

Despite Rubio clearly being a key part of the Timberwolves' plans moving forward, they reportedly remained far apart on a potential new deal as recently as the second week of October, per Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press:

Something changed over the course of a couple of weeks, though, as Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders later reported that the two sides had made significant progress:

Now that Rubio has been locked up for the foreseeable future, the focus shifts toward his evolution into a leader and potential All-Star player. Since Rubio is going to be paid like a star, the expectation is that he will soon become one.

Much of the talk regarding Rubio's game revolves around what he does on the offensive end of the floor. As important as that is, the T'Wolves also need him to become a better defender.

He's averaged over two steals per game in each of his three seasons, but head coach Flip Saunders expects even more, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press:

Point guards are often viewed as the on-floor leaders, and Rubio must establish more leadership skills in 2014-15 and beyond. While Minnesota has some veteran players on the roster, such as Kevin Martin and Corey Brewer, it is largely a very young team.

It is also a team that features many new players, including rookie Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young, all of whom were acquired in the deal that sent star power forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rubio has to be a stabilizing force to make all the pieces fit, and it seems as though he is ready and willing to take on the challenge, per NBA.com's Jeff Caplan:

"

... We have to step up, especially me as a leader, be more vocal. Our young guys, they need someone to guide them. I think we have a lot of vets here that can do that. Mo (Williams) is a great example. Me and Kevin Martin can do the same thing. 

What I've been doing, since I am young, is leading by example, practicing hard and doing everything on the court. I have to learn how to be more vocal. I'm not good at that and I have to improve.

"

If Rubio's commitment to get better in several areas leads to development, then the new contract could prove to be a great one for the Timberwolves.

Just the opposite could be true if Rubio's vow to improve is little more than lip service.

There are certain times when organizations must take a leap of faith to sustain long-term success, and that is precisely what the T'Wolves are attempting by extending Rubio.

Although there is a certain degree of risk involved, Minnesota can't allow a player with his talent to simply walk away. There is no guarantee that the Timberwolves will be rewarded, but it was a move they had to make.

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