NBA Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Ricky Rubio, Mike Dunleavy
With free-agency news flying this way and that, trade rumors are getting overlooked.
Not here, though.
While Kevin Durant’s ultimate destination is the league’s biggest offseason storyline, there are trade rumblings regarding both a young, rising team in the Western Conference and one trying to get back to glory in the East.
Ricky Rubio
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Minnesota Timberwolves are holding tight and waiting for the dust to settle before dealing Ricky Rubio.
The 25-year-old point guard has become expendable after the team selected Kris Dunn with the No. 5 pick of the 2016 NBA draft. Per Deveney—and other reports, like K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune—the Wolves were looking to deal Rubio once it became clear Dunn was available.
Talks have since died down, but they’re expected to catch fire once again.
“Check back around July 10, July 15,” an anonymous NBA general manager said to Deveney. “Once teams are left holding the bag, (Rubio)’s going to be a pretty big target. They will get better offers, better ones than they have been.”
Getting left hanging is a part of free agency. Just ask the Dallas Mavericks.
But, seriously, who would be interested in Rubio?
Perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers, who let their 2015-16 starter, Ish Smith, walk to the Detroit Pistons, per Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer:
Philly would ideally prefer a floor general with a knockdown jumper—and that’s not Rubio—but the five-year veteran is a crafty playmaker who would have no problem spreading the ball around to Ben Simmons, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
Another team that could be in the mix would be the Chicago Bulls, who discussed the move on draft night, per Johnson.
After dealing Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, Chicago’s point guard rotation consists of Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant, who formed an underwhelming tandem for last year’s Knicks.
Making a move for Rubio would provide a major lift for a Bulls team that’s looking to develop young talent while still winning.
Rubio could help check off both of those boxes.
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Pat Riley is always up to something, isn’t he?
The 71-year-old Miami Heat president agreed to a deal with Hassan Whiteside on Friday, which the center announced through The Players’ Tribune.
Ethan Skolnick of the Miami Herald also reported that Whiteside agreed to take less than the max if Durant decides to come to South Beach:
You have to imagine Riley did some convincing there.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald added that if Miami can’t land an additional shooter off the free-agent market, the team will look to make a move for Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy Jr.
At 35, Dunleavy has become limited to spot-up shooting in recent years. Last season, he started 30 games for the Bulls after returning to the lineup in early February and averaged 7.2 points on 41 percent shooting from the field and 39.4 percent from deep.
His role in Miami could be reminiscent of what Mike Miller was from 2010 to 2012-13—a veteran presence off the bench capable of catching fire from deep.
Like this:
The Heat ranked 27th in three-point percentage, 28th in three-point attempts and tied for 27th in three-point field goals last year.
If nothing else, Dunleavy—on a friendly contract—will help change that.
