Minnesota Timberwolves fans were astound by Ricky Rubio trade rumors last month. Several NBA reporters and news sites wrote that the Spanish point guard is on the trading block with the team growing impatient of him.
Good news for fans. The Ricky Rubio trade rumors circulating around are not true. In fact, Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton still thinks the six-year veteran is still an important part of the team's future.
"We're not talking to anybody about trading Ricky," Newton told The Associated Press. "We expect Ricky to be an integral part of our team this season. We expect him to be here come training camp and leading our team."
Rubio, 24, came to the league with much hype but failed to live up to it so far due to recurring injuries. Last year, he averaged 10.3 points per game and made 8.8 assists per game. He is also being criticized for his poor outside shooting. Despite that, Newton insists they still have complete confidence on him.
"He's one of the best facilitators in the NBA," Newton said.
"We've got a young team of guys that are athletic, that are going to get up and down. And we're going to utilize those talents that they have. Who better than Ricky to be the one leading the charge, pushing the pace, pushing the ball and getting our guys easy opportunities and getting the ball where they can be their best? We're looking to him to be that person."
Ricky Rubio trade rumors spread last month from a report by Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher.
"I'm hearing that the Minnesota Timberwolves are actually look at potentially moving off of Rubio at this point," he wrote.
"They've seen enough, and they do not believe that he is the future, in spite of the fact that he's only 24. Now, they've tested the trade waters. I'm hearing that they're quiet right now, but that they could return to looking to see what they could get for Rubio once the season begins and some things shake out for some other teams, because they don't have any specific trade partners at the moment."
Rubio was asked about this. He said he is confident he will stay with the team that drafted him.
"I have confidence that the team wants me but you know in this league anybody can get traded," the 2009 fifth overall draft pick said according to a report by Gulf News. "You don't listen to the rumors. You just live day-by-day and that's it."
