Timberwolves trade Rubio to Jazz for first-round pick
The Minnesota Timberwolves made their second major trade of the offseason, sending point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz for a first-round pick.
Utah needed to use $16million in their salary cap that expired on Friday. In return, Minnesota received the Jazz’s 2018 first-round pick, via the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is top-14 pick protected.
The Timberwolves acquired Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls during last week’s NBA draft. Minnesota Timberwolves also received the number 16 pick in that deal, which they used on Creighton centre Justin Patton.
With the Jazz likely to lose Gordon Hayward in free agency, and now George Hill, they could be ready to build for the future.
Welcome to Utah, @rickyrubio9!!
Details: https://t.co/67A5xBsE2Q pic.twitter.com/x8Nc9aM4ml
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 30, 2017
Rubio, 26, averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 assists per game last season.
The Timberwolves, who are clearly trying to contend now, will be in search of a point guard. Guys like Hill, Kyle Lowry and Jeff Teague could all be suitable targets.
