The Minnesota Timberwolves have seemingly been in rebuilding mode for awhile, and their point guard apparently has had enough. According to his recent interview with Catalunya Radio in Spain, which was transcribed by ESPN, it's playoffs or bust for Ricky Rubio next season.
Rubio said of his status with the T-Wolves:
“Next season will be crucial for me. I've been in the NBA for five years, and six years without playoffs would be a long time. At 26 (years old), I'd have to start thinking about teams that can get to the playoffs and win in The Finals.”
The Spanish point guard came to the NBA after being drafted in 2009 as the fifth overall pick, but has struggled with injuries and a young, albeit talented, team around him in Minnesota. The last time the franchise was in the postseason was 2004, a drought longer than that of all other NBA teams.
According to the interview, Rubio hopes to make the playoffs by year seven in the NBA:
“When I arrived to Minnesota, my hope was to break the seven years' streak without (a) presence in (the) playoffs. I still have that hope, but it's very tough mentally when year after year that goal is not met.”
Rubio has averaged 10.1 points and 8.3 assists through his five years in the NBA and would be considered a good pickup by many teams in the league should Minnesota decide to trade him. It will be interesting to see if new team president and head coach Tom Thibodeau is inclined to move Rubio should the team not make the 2017 playoffs.
[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/report-minnesota-timberwolves-looking-land-joakim-noah-offseason/”]NEXT: Joakim Noah may reunite with Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota[/button]
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