NBA News and Rumors: Why Ricky Rubio Should Go To Dallas

Ricky Rubio was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009 but is yet to play a game for the organization.

Mark Cuban has recently expressed interest in taking Rubio off of the Timberwolves hands and trading for him to go to Dallas.

The NBA trade deadline already passed this year, but a trade in the offseason could benefit both parties.

Whether the Timberwolves would be willing to send Rubio is a question for another day. This slide show focuses on why Rubio should pack his bags and head to Dallas.

Feel free to comment below with your own feelings about the situation.

Mark Cuban

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DALLAS - FEBRUARY 12: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (L) and actor Chris Tucker speak during the NBA All-Star celebrity game presented by Final Fantasy XIII held at the Dallas Convention Center on February 12, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jason M

You would be hard-pressed to find a player who would not want to play for owner Mark Cuban.

Cuban is the ultimate player's owner in that he cares a lot more about how the team does than the financial impact.

If anyone could convince Rubio to come to the United States to play professional basketball it would be Mark Cuban.

Rubio has got to feel good about what Cuban said about him, and this sweet talking now may pay off in the offseason.

Dallas Is Warmer That Minnesota

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 11: Texas Longhorns fans fill the stands in front of the Dallas skyline during a game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl on October 11, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Besides the fact that Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the league, it is also one of the least desirable places to be over the winter.

Rubio decided he would much rather play in nice Barcelona than be stuck under feet of snow in Minnesota.

Dallas is obviously a beautiful alternative to Minnesota, where the winters are usually mild and often warm.

Many believe that Rubio wants to play for an East Coast team, but he may find Dallas to be a perfect alternative.

Texas is growing as a state anyway and may be more like the East Coast before we know it.

Dirk Nowitzki

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks before the start of a NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

The heart and soul of the Dallas Mavericks is Dirk Nowitzki. As a fellow European playing in the NBA, Nowitzki and Rubio could bond over the things they miss from back home.

On the court this could be a lethal matchup, with Rubio on the outside and Nowitzki on the inside.

Nowitzki is one of the best players in the league, and for Rubio to have an opportunity to play with him would be huge.

Also I was not joking about the European thing. I honestly think that could be a big selling point for Rubio.

The Mavs Are Good

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Tyson Chandler #6 and Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

Right now the Mavericks are the second-best team in the West behind their in-state rival San Antonio Spurs.

Many think the Mavs could represent the West in the finals this year, and this may be their best chance of bringing home a championship to Dallas.

Rubio may not have wanted to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves because they lack talent, which is true as they are currently 16-50 and second to last in the West.

The Mavericks are the total opposite of the Timberwolves, and if Rubio really wants to play for a contender, being traded to Dallas would be a best case scenario for him.

Jason Kidd

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 17, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Rubio could not ask for a better mentor than Jason Kidd.

Kidd is nearing the end of his career and would probably do a lot more to help Rubio by teaching him than to hurt him by taking away playing time.

It seems likely that Jason Kidd is headed for the Hall of Fame, and he always seemed to be open to helping out younger players like Rubio.

In Minnesota, Rubio would be stuck behind a younger guard in Jonny Flynn, but in Dallas, he would have someone to learn from.