Ricky Rubio, Wes Matthews Trade Reportedly Discussed by Mavericks, Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks had trade discussions centered on Ricky Rubio and Wes Matthews, but it appears the potential deal has broken down.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reported the Wolves were planning on sending Rubio and the No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft to Dallas for Matthews and the No. 9 pick. Those talks have been described as "dead."
Rubio, 26, has been the subject of trade rumors for nearly a year. The Timberwolves made their long-term point guard plans clear when the selected Kris Dunn with the No. 5 pick last year, and Rubio's days have seemingly been numbered since.
Despite some struggles, Rubio had the best season of his NBA career in 2016-17. He averaged 11.1 points. 9.1 assist and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the floor for the first time. After sticking around in Minnesota at the trade deadline, Rubio seemed like a completely different and unburdened player. He averaged 16.0 points and 10.5 assists after the All-Star break.
"We're professionals, but we're human beings, too," Rubio after the deadline, per Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. "So we have feelings, but I know this is a business and it has to be like that.
"Mentally, it's tough, but there are things you can't control. We're playing basketball. There are people who decide where you're going to play. You can't control that. You come here and work hard every day, and that's it."
Rubio has two years and $28.9 million remaining on his contract.
Matthews, 30, has two years and $36.5 million left on his deal. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds last season, shooting 39.3 percent from the floor. The former 3-and-D maven has had some trouble returning to the form he was in during his Portland days after suffering a torn Achilles in 2015.
