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Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Point Guard

By Christian Rivas

Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) reacts during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) reacts during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ricky Rubio

Dec 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 26

Contract: Signed a rookie contract extension in 2014 worth $56 million through the 2019.

2016-17 Relevant Stats: 7.9 PTS, 3.9 REB, 8.1 AST, 1.9 STL, 0.1 BLK

Remember when the Timberwolves were supposed to be good this year? That hasn’t exactly gone to plan. While their young nucleus of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine have been impressive, Minnesota’s head coach and President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau isn’t easily impressed.

Thibs has never been scared to shake things up, and it looks like he’s just about ready to do that. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Timberwolves are “actively shopping” the 26-year-old Spanish point guard.

"The Timberwolves have attached Rubio to multiple offers with Shabazz Muhammad to several teams around the NBA, league sources said. Minnesota has been seeking something of a “bridge” guard in return, a player capable of starting in the short term, but who’ll ultimately settle into a backup role and give way to rookie Kris Dunn to become the long-term starter, league sources said."

This is less about Rubio’s production and more about Minnesota’s faith in Kriss Dunn, who they selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. If Minny wants him gone, LA would be a good landing spot.

While his numbers might seem underwhelming, Rubio’s actually among the league leaders in multiple statistical categories including assists (No. 6) and steals (No. 5). He is the only player in the NBA averaging more than 8 assists per game while turning the ball over less than 2.5 times per game.

However, his defense is what makes him the most attractive to the Lake Show. Anyone who has watched more than five minutes of a Lakers game knows they’re not the best defensive team in the league, especially when it comes to their guards.

Whenever Nick Young is dubbed “one of the better defensive players on the team,” it’s safe to assume that the defense is struggling mightily. Would Rubio fix this by himself? No, but it would be a great start.

The Lakers could send Luol Deng, Jose Calderon and Lou Williams in exchange for Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Shabazz Muhammad.

Minnesota would get a $7 million contract cleared from their books at the end of the season, a cheap veteran scorer and a potential frontcourt mate for KAT that is familiar with Thibs in Luol Deng.

LA would get Rubio, Los Angeles native and athletic wing Shabazz Muhamad and Nikola Pekovic’s bad contract. You can’t give a bad contract and not get one back.

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