Sam Presti and the OKC Thunder have been among the most active teams on the trade market this offseason. As they look to take strides towards building up their future, the team is doing whatever they can to secure picks and acquire talented young players.
It seems the Thunder have continued that goal once again with their most recent draft-day trade. According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, they are sending newly-acquired guard Ricky Rubio and two picks to move up to 17th in the draft.
Rubio will return to the Timberwolves, the team where he first began his NBA career.
The Timberwolves are in talks to trade the 17th pick to OKC for Ricky Rubio and picks 25 and 28, sources tell @TheAthleticMIN
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 19, 2020
As OKC adds another young prospect to their lineup, the Timberwolves add a talented playmaker and class-filled veteran in Rubio.
Last season, he averaged 13 points and 8.8 assists per game as the starting point guard for the Suns.
It’s hard to say how big his impact will be in Minnesota, especially playing behind D’Angelo Russell and the just-drafted prospect, Anthony Edwards. But it certainly helps them in the long-run, and it will be a boost for Minnesota fans to witness his return to the franchise.
