The Minnesota Timberwolves most recently found themselves in the news as suitors for Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe, but a more realistic and more pertinent conversation concerns their own point guard, Ricky Rubio. Minnesota has until Oct. 31 to agree upon a contract extension with Rubio, and the team finds itself in a compelling situation.
Ricky Rubio contract extension talks filled with complexities
A unique skill set and the NBA environment is working against Ricky Rubio.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
A year down the road, the Timberwolves could face a situation all too similar to Bledsoe’s. As of now, the Timberwolves and Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, are “a good distance apart” in contract talks, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Jerry Zgoda.
The Timberwolves remain in negotiations, however, and Rubio recently told Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski he wanted to remain loyal to a team that has invested so much in him. The T'Wolves reportedly are seeking a four-year contract extension past this coming year, according to the Associated Press, but it remains to be seen how much the team is willing to dole out.
Why Rubio’s value is hard to gauge
Rubio has one of the most unique combinations of skill sets in the NBA, and because of that it's hard to see whether Minnesota wants to give him a long term deal, be it a max contract or close to it. Shooting 38 percent from the floor largely because of a broken jump shot can come by inefficient gunning, but not in Rubio's case. Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings also shot below 40 percent but it's easy to end the comparisons there.
Rubio was third in the entire NBA in total touches during the 2013-14 season, but he scored just 0.11 points per touch. Of the top 100 players in total touches, only Kendall Marshall did worse. On the other hand, Rubio was fifth in the NBA by averaging 20.4 points created by assists per game.
Defensively, Rubio is hot and cold. He’s as good of a steals artist as there is in the NBA but lacks the ability to physically match up with the long list of more athletic guards in the league.
The outside factors are working against him
It’s nearly impossible to see the T’Wolves coming close to a five-year max contract extension with Rubio, though it’s long been assumed the point guard and his agent would ask for one.
By the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players can only have one designated player on the roster that they extended themselves (they can have two if one was designated by another team and then traded).
There's a huge risk if Minnesota opted to hand Rubio a five-year deal as the team's designated player. With rookies like first overall pick Andrew Wiggins and high-upside lottery choice Zach LaVine potentially turning into stars, the T'Wolves wouldn't be able to sign either to five-year deals via extensions with Rubio still on the roster. By the time either of the rookies are up for their own extensions, it could be impossible for Minnesota to trade Rubio if he hasn't lived up to his contract.
Another reason Rubio won’t get the money he likes: the point guard market is oversaturated, a reason that Bledsoe’s four-year, $48 million contract offer from Phoenix seems reasonable despite the point guard’s obvious dissatisfaction.
What’s the possibility of an extension being agreed upon?
The T’Wolves, if they don’t agree on an extension, get to continue negotiations during Rubio’s restricted free agency in a year, though at the risk they upset him with a low offer. But because of how much time is left, there’s no rush to lock in the point guard before he proves he can be valuable on a rebuilding team. Rubio is still very young and a unique talent, but the Timberwolves have a bit of leverage even if this goes into next summer. Give it a 4 out of 10 shot of happening before the season begins.
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