Ricky Rubio Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Deal PG to Jazz for 1st-Round Draft Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly talking about a trade that would send point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz. 

Shams Charania‏ of The Vertical first passed along word Friday there were "active discussions" between the sides.

Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune reported a trade is "close." Spencer Checketts of the Zone Sports Network added Utah is expected to send a first-round pick obtained from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Minnesota to complete the swap, which ESPN's Marc Stein confirmed is lottery protected.

Rubio has been one of the most frequently mentioned players on the trade market since before last season's trade deadline, but he's remained with the Wolves through all the speculation.

The 26-year-old Spanish guard is coming off a season where he averaged 11.1 points, 9.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals across 75 games for Minnesota. He ranked 20th in Player Efficiency Rating and 15th in Value Added at the position, according to ESPN.com.

Shooting woes continue to hold him back, though. He shot just 40.2 percent from the field last season, which actually marked a new career high, and 30.6 percent from three-point range.

In February, Rubio discussed the seemingly never-ending trade talk after the deadline came and went without him being moved, per Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.

"I mean, we're professionals, but we're human beings, too," he said. "So we have feelings, but I know this is a business and it has to be like that."

Rubio would join a Utah backcourt that already features Dante Exum, Rodney Hood and Alec Burks. It's a group with a lot of upside, but getting the pieces to fit together properly will likely be a challenge for head coach Quin Snyder.