Trading Rubio

[Monster]

I'm still in favor of my trade idea and I hope it happens.

Rubio/Bazz to the Kings for Temple/Collison/WCS

Rubio's play as of late has settled down my feelings towards moving him, but this topic will always be there while he is under contract. I'd say it is best to simply move forward at this point, and accept that we will not be getting huge value back for him due to his shooting limitations and the impact that has in close games.

Collison gives us a stop gap for the rest of the year at starting pg, not stout defensively, but can run an offense and score. Temple is signed for two more years after this at a reasonable 7mil per, can defend 1-3 well, and is a low usage savvy vet. WCS is a project at this point but has definite promise, and has chemistry with KAT. Options of Collison/Dunn/Tyus at point , LaVine / Temple / Dunn / Wiggins / Rush at the wings , Belly, KAT, Dieng / WCS / Aldrich as our bigs.

Great mix of cap flexibility and veteran play.

That trade would be pretty icky, in my opinion. Not getting back anything that significant. Perhaps a Muhammad for Cayley-Stein deal, but Rubio has more value than what you're proposing. Not to mention, Collison could be had as a free agent in just six months.

Personally, I don't see that Rubio has more value than this. Bazz has near zero value due to his looming free agency.

Collison is a 6 month rental, which is ideal considering our current PG situation. Collison will likely be far too expensive for us to sign as a FA for a potential backup pg. Not to mention we generally do not get above average + players to come here without overpaying. We're potentially another year + away from bucking that trend. Temple is underrated, in my opinion, and would fill two great roles for us (roster flexibility and veteran play), and WCS is the prospect piece. You may disagree but I don't see Bazz/Rubio being some great value vs. Temple/Collison/WCS.

Bazz can be an RFA meaning the team that gets him can match any offer and given the fact he's not a homerun of a pickup he's not getting the overpay to try to prevent the match. He has a lot more than zero value because he can't just walk away during the summer like a normal FA.

I agree with your take on Bazz's value being more than zero although how much more tha zero is debateable espcially in a trade. Your post also makes a solid case for not dealing him at all. His situation right now reminds me a bit of Harkless last year although they bring different things to the floor. If Bazz continues his solid play I would be ok with him getting a contract similar to what Harkless got even though I would rather have Harkless for the same money.

[thedoper]

I agree with future and Doper. Don't think the proposed SacTown trade is bad and also agree with trying to get an expiring contact could be beneficial as well, although I would hate being forced to watch Rose play for the rest of the year. He's game is terrible to watch I think.

It doesn't have to be him but that would get us the most money to spend next year. That is all I'm thinking of.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Based on this little nugget, it seems to me the Rubio trade talk won't die down anytime soon.

Jon Krawczynski ?@APkrawczynski 10h10 hours ago
Fact: Thibs doesn't speak about any Wolves player in the glowing terms that he speaks about Kris Dunn. Raved about him tonight

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

My sense is that while Dunn's numbers are underwhelming to say the least and he sometimes makes bone-headed plays, what Thibs loves about him is the essence of his makeup: Tough, strong, hard-nosed, defensive, scrappy....etc. He embodies what a "Thibs guy" looks like.

[Coolbreeze44]

Based on this little nugget, it seems to me the Rubio trade talk won't die down anytime soon.

Jon Krawczynski ?@APkrawczynski 10h10 hours ago
Fact: Thibs doesn't speak about any Wolves player in the glowing terms that he speaks about Kris Dunn. Raved about him tonight

And when you consider we just beat a team we had struggled against with Rubio, you have to wonder if a trade is getting closer and closer.

[Wile E Coyote [enjin:17432808]]

Thibs has been very complementary of Dunn all year despite some very uneven play. I'm not sure if it is because Thibs likes Dunn's future, or if he wants to make his decision to draft Dunn look better. Maybe a bit of both.

That said, Dunn was terrific last night. He shows flashes of good passing, like the good look to Shabazz on the basket cut leading to a dunk and another good pass to Bazz on the fast break. He is very difficult to screen (a Rubio weakness). He is a good rebounder, going down in the paint with the big boys.

Shabazz was good last night too, including a steal for a fast break dunk. He seems to be moving the ball more too.

I sympathize with the job Thibs/Layden have. Every night a different player looks bad or good. Of course you don't want to look at one game or one week - you need to look at their entire year and entire career. But with young guys a good week can so easily be interpreted as a trend.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

LeBron is sounding the alarm. Cleveland needs a play maker. Rubio needs a home. And he'd deserve to go to a contender given the penance he's served in Minnesota!

Is there ANYTHING that works for both teams here? I'd love to see Ricky go to a place where he can be a major contributor (granted, off the bench) in a playoff run.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Q, I fully expect Cleveland to land a decent-enough backup veteran PG who's cut from his previous team in a make-good gesture that the Wolves have been famous for. It'll cost them nothing as that player chases a ring.

So why give up anything for a guy they'd be stuck paying $14+M off the bench next year?



[Note: For example, Rondo. I know, I know. It's unlikely because of just how much of a punk he's become. But let's just say he's engaged... he can bring most of what Rubio can bring at virtually no risk or expense. There'll be other guys out there,]

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Q, I fully expect Cleveland to land a decent-enough backup veteran PG who's cut from his previous team in a make-good gesture that the Wolves have been famous for. It'll cost them nothing as that player chases a ring.

So why give up anything for a guy they'd be stuck paying $14+M off the bench next year?



[Note: For example, Rondo. I know, I know. It's unlikely because of just how much of a punk he's become. But let's just say he's engaged... he can bring most of what Rubio can bring at virtually no risk or expense. There'll be other guys out there,]

Abe, I don't think they are looking for just some cheap pickup. LeBron and Irving are literally the only two guys on that team averaging 2+ assists. They are really hurting. The other thing to factor in is the Rubio-Love connection.

Rubio is also big enough to play in a back court with Irving, giving Cleveland three elite ball handlers on the court together for stretches. He could even start games with Irving with J.R. Smith out, even though he may not be out there to finish games.

[Monster]

Q, I fully expect Cleveland to land a decent-enough backup veteran PG who's cut from his previous team in a make-good gesture that the Wolves have been famous for. It'll cost them nothing as that player chases a ring.

So why give up anything for a guy they'd be stuck paying $14+M off the bench next year?



[Note: For example, Rondo. I know, I know. It's unlikely because of just how much of a punk he's become. But let's just say he's engaged... he can bring most of what Rubio can bring at virtually no risk or expense. There'll be other guys out there,]

Abe, I don't think they are looking for just some cheap pickup. LeBron and Irving are literally the only two guys on that team averaging 2+ assists. They are really hurting. The other thing to factor in is the Rubio-Love connection.

Rubio is also big enough to play in a back court with Irving, giving Cleveland three elite ball handlers on the court together for stretches. He could even start games with Irving with J.R. Smith out, even though he may not be out there to finish games.

You make a pretty good case here. The problem is do the Cavs want Rubio enough to deal Shumpert and maybe someone else to take back Rubio and his salary? That may be a tough pill to swallow.

Guys that could be available for cheap if healthy

Norris Cole healthy playing in China for 5 million
Chalmers (supposed to be about ready to play returning from an injury)
Grevis Vasquez (got cut by the Nets I know there was some injury issues at one point)
Jarrett Jack (supposed to be returning from injury as well)
Andre Miller Old but we saw him play plenty well last year.
there are probably some other options I knew most of these but Google helped me with Chalmers and Cole. Personally I think Cole would be a solid option and probably the safest one as far as health. He isn't really a playmaker though. He plays hard is a decent defender and has plenty of experience including playing with that Lebron guy.