UPDATE (July 1, 11:26 a.m.): The Utah Jazz confirmed late Friday night that it had acquired point guard Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a protected 2018 first-round draft pick that used to belong to the Oklahoma City Thunder, “pending the outcome of a successful physical.”
The Timberwolves also confirmed the deal, with president of basketball operations and coach Tom Thibodeau releasing the following statement: “We’d like to thank Ricky for his time in Minnesota over the course of the last six-plus years. Ricky has been a consummate professional over my time in Minnesota and has done tremendous things in the community. We appreciate all he’s done for the organization and wish him the best of luck in Utah.”
ORIGINAL STORY: The Minnesota Timberwolves already have been one of the more active NBA teams this offseason, and that trend continued early Friday night.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Timberwolves have agreed to trade veteran point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2018Â first-round draft pick.
The Jazz are poised to be one of the more interesting teams to watch in free agency. The team’s top priority appears to be bringing back Gordon Hayward, but it will go up against the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, both of whom have strong interest in the star forward.
The reported trade for Rubio also could signal the end of George Hill’s time in Utah. The 31-year-old likely will have a number of suitors once free agency opens Saturday.
As for the Timberwolves, dealing Rubio puts them in position to go after a point guard in this summer. The team reportedly has its eyes set on Kyle Lowry, as well as other veteran point guards, including Jrue Holiday.
Thumbnail photo via Russ Isabella/USA TODAY Sports Images
