Ricky Rubio denies that his camp asked for a trade from the Timberwolves

Rumblings about Rubio leaving Minnesota started as soon as he was drafted, so this is anything but surprising. But does it actually makes sense for Rubio to want to leave or for the Timberwolves to deal him anyway?

Rubio has also been injured in three of his four seasons in the league and has not developed a jump shot yet. He is a terrific passer and defender, but has not become the reliable franchise player many hoped he could become. He’s aware of it, recently saying “in this league, except LeBron and another three or four, everybody is tradeable.” If there’s a good offer on the table, the Timberwolves would be foolish if they don’t at least look at it.

As for Rubio, it was rumored before and after the draft that he didn’t want to be in Minnesota. He seems to have found comfort in his four years there but a change would likely be welcomed by him and certainly his agent, who could use Rubio’s flashy game and charisma to make him a popular figure if he played in a bigger market. If he’s going to lose anyway, he might as well do it somewhere that is warm and allows him to raise his public profile.

With Rubio in the lineup, the Timberwolves were over eight points better per 100 possessions than their average last season. He might not be a traditional star that can take over with his scoring, but he undoubtedly has a positive impact on the team. He’s also a young veteran who has been playing professionally for years and has shared teams with stars like the Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka. Getting that presence in the locker room from a player that is young enough to still be in his prime when Wiggins and whoever Minnesota selects in the draft this year enter theirs is certainly valuable.

In fact, Rubio probably is worth more to the Timberwolves than most other teams. There will be franchises interested in acquiring his services but no one is going to give up a premium asset for him, not after the injuries and the new contract. Trading Rubio now would be selling low and would mean extending a rebuilding process that has taken almost a decade in Minnesota.

Of course if Rubio wants to force his way out and becomes a nuisance, there’s little Flip Saunders can do. In that interview he had in Spain, however, there was nothing signaling that he wants out. He not only flat out denied the reports but also seemed extremely excited about the team’s future, saying that they could have fought for a playoff spot had everyone stayed healthy and that Andrew Wiggins “will be an All-Star for sure. Maybe an MVP.” He even said the weather is not a big problem for him. That doesn’t sound like someone planning an exit strategy.

No one is untradable and Rubio hasn’t lived up to the hype yet, so it’s possible the Timberwolves front office is considering making a change. It’s highly unlikely to imagine a scenario in which they upgrade at point guard or get a great asset back, though, since they would be selling low.

If Rubio wants to stay in Minnesota -- and he’s saying he does -- he will likely start and finish next season there.