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There were two schools of thought that emerged when the Utah Jazz got Ricky Rubio in a trade last year from the Minnesota Timberwolves: one that says Rubio won’t be a fit in Utah, and the other that believes the Spanish court general will be just fine in Salt Lake City. While Utah’s struggles this season can’t be entirely pinned on Rubio, the 27-year-old point guard is seemingly part of the problem to the point that ESPN’s Zach Lowe has floated the idea of the Jazz putting Rubio on the trading block.
It's easier to suggest a lineup change from the outside than it is to make one. Rubio may be a Jazz man next season (not a certainty, by the way), and Utah is likely wary of crushing his confidence by benching him — and moving Mitchell to point guard. Potential replacements for Rubio are uninspiring, especially with Rodney Hood dealing with another case of Rodney Hood-itis. Thabo Sefolosha, a fill-in starter at multiple positions, is out for the season.
Starting Jonas Jerebko or Joe Johnson in Favors' place might be the easiest fix, but those guys aren't saving Utah's season. The trade deadline might provide a solution.
Ricky Rubio has never been known as a scorer, so his 11.1 points per game with the Jazz looks relatively normal. Rubio, however, has shot worse this season than during his last year with Minnesota, as he is making just 38.6 percent of his shots. He is not even doing any better in his true clear area of expertise with the point guard dishing out a career-worst 4.8 dimes per contest. On top of that, Rubio’s value to the Jazz has gone down with Donovan Mitchell chomping on his playing time, thanks to an explosive rookie season.
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The Jazz are faring well on both ends of the floor when Rubio is sitting on the bench. Per 82games.com, Utah scores more and allows fewer points per 48 minutes when Rubio is not on the floor.
The Jazz are currently out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference with a 21-28 record, and if they intend to make a return to the playoffs this year, some difficult decisions will have to be made by the team as the trade deadline nears.
Rubio’s current contract won’t expire until the summer of 2019.
