Following years of trade speculation, the Minnesota Timberwolves finally pulled the trigger last June on a deal to send veteran point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2018 first-round draft pick. It ended his six-year tenure with the franchise that led to his future in Minnesota to become quite foggy.
However, Timberwolves' owner Glen Taylor had much difficulty in going through with moving the 27-year-old due to his connection with the team and city. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Rubio was the one who gave the green to the trade been completed.
Rubio had become a fixture with the Timberwolves, but the team had struggled to break through failing to make the playoffs in each campaign that further extended their postseason drought 13 years. A change of scenery was necessary on both sides as it allowed for Minnesota to head into another direction in free agency to add a few proven players in former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague and All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.
Meanwhile, Rubio has become one of the centerpieces of a promising backcourt alongside stellar rookie guard Donovan Mitchell to help them make a strong push to the playoffs. His passing and leadership have become a valuable part of their upward trajectory behind their young core group that also features rising star big man Rudy Gobert.
For the time being, it was a deal that has had some immediate returns with both teams potentially headed to playoff berths in the first season after the move. Only time will tell how this play out on both sides in the long run.
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