Ricky Rubio
The Los Angeles Lakers receive: Ricky Rubio
The Phoenix Suns receive: Danny Green
The Los Angeles Lakers have had some luck with crafty Spaniards in the past, why not try their luck one more time?
While not the sexiest move, acquiring Ricky Rubio gets the Los Angeles Lakers a lot closer to their destination than some might realize.
Rubio entered the league with similar intrigue and expectation akin to Luka Doncic. So much was expected of Rubio and it is fair to say that Rubio has never lived up the expectations set upon him.
While he isn’t the superstar everyone thought he would be, Ricky Rubio has built an extremely solid career for himself in the NBA.
Currently on his 3rd team, Rubio has never been the go-to guy for any of his teams and that is perfectly OK.
With the Los Angeles Lakers, Rubio would play a role and if he can fulfill the role similar to how he is playing now, then the Los Angeles Lakers would be thrilled.
The Lakers’ expectations for Rubio would be: Shoot the 3 point shot with consistency when called upon, defend and steal the ball at an above league average rate and be the secondary play-maker the Los Angeles Lakers desperately need.
If he can do this, he is going to be a hit with Lakers fans.
While his $16.2m contract will be a lot to swallow, his inclusion will be enough to get the purple and gold over the line for a Championship ring.
With the Suns looking to run the ball through Devin Booker’s hands and have him be the de-facto point guard next season, that means that Rubio becomes an expensive complimentary piece. If the Suns can move Rubio for a veteran like Danny Green who can shoot the ball and be a great team defender and whose contract ends at the end of the 2020-2021 season, then it will be an ideal trade for them.
Rubio while not the 3rd-star Lakersnation envisioned, he would be just enough to push the purple and gold to the championship summit.