NBA Trade Rumors: A Ricky Rubio for Reggie Jackson deal works for Timberwolves, Pistons
As we draw closer to the NBA Trade Deadline there will be countless rumors surrounding some of the game’s top players and teams. Well, NBA Trade Rumors are buzzing this week that the Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping PG Ricky Rubio. It’s about time as Rubio has been a disappointment pretty much his entire NBA career.
But, the Wolves may have a buyer in the Detroit Pistons.
Story going online now with @ChrisBHaynes: ESPN sources say Minnesota and Detroit have discussed a PG swap of Ricky Rubio and Reggie Jackson
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 21, 2017
The Pistons and Wolves have discussed a trade involving the Reggie Jackson and Rubio. While this may seem like a lop-sided trade, by no means is it. This may be the best deal the Wolves could get for Rubio and this is the one that could help the Wolves climb out of the Wester Conference basement and back into the playoff chase. As of Saturday morning, the Wolves are 15-28, good for 12th in the Conference but only two games out of the 8th spot.
[Mark]If the deal were to go through, the Wolves would have the PG they need to make the offense work. Rubio, for all his dribbling skills, is not the fast break type of player the Wolves need. With young players willing to get up and down the court like Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins they need a player that can motor just as fast. Then you add in, Jackson’s ability to get to the rim and knock down the perimeter shot and the dynamic of the Wolves just got much wider. This was Rubio’s weakness and it stalled the offense.
For Detroit, this is a solid swap. The Pistons have scores and with Jackson gone, the ball will move a lot better. Andre Drummond has established himself as a top 3 Center in the NBA and while he and Jackson had a great inside/outside tandem going on, his departure will open the door for a stagnant offense. The Pistons are loaded on the perimeter with shooters in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris, and Tobias Harris. Rubio will not be asked to play the perimeter but to be a facilitator, and that’s where he’s best at.
Neither team can turn down this deal as it will greatly benefit all parties involved. The Wolves still have a fighting chance in the West and the Pistons are only one game out in the Eastern Conference. If the Wolves are serious about moving Rubio and the Pistons about Jackson, then this deal is a must.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
