NBA Trade Rumors: Ricky Rubio As Timberwolves Trading Piece For Kings’ Rudy Gay? Sixers Also Interested?

The Minnesota Timberwolves is reportedly looking to trade Ricky Rubio to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Rudy Gay. The Timberwolves may be a promising team now, but new head coach and president Tom Thibodeau is likely on the lookout for significant changes that would improve the lineup.

Yibada reported that Rubio could be out of place with the Timberwolves now that Zach LaVine is stepping up as point guard, which is also Rubio's position. The team's acquisition of Kris Dunn also means he will serve as LaVine's backup on the court.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor previously dismissed claims about Rubio's potential trade, but Gay's addition could change their minds, Star Tribune reported. The Timberwolves could use Gay as a solid force at the lineup's wing and as a mentor to the team's young talents such as Andrew Wiggins. Gay averaged 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the last NBA season.

Rubio, on the other hand, could provide his point guard skills to the Kings. The team could match him with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins -- that is if the latter doesn't get traded with the multiple teams reportedly vying to sign him.

The Kings is lacking in the point guard position this offseason, which probably contributed to Cousins' being unhappy with the team. Rubio's possible addition to the Kings, however, could change Cousins' mind about signing to a different organization.

Another team rumored to be interested in acquiring Rubio is the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers could trade Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor for Rubio to balance their lineup and to fulfill their lack of guards and wing men, Sportsrageous reported.

Despite these rumors, there's still a possibility that Rubio would remain with the Timberwolves under coach Thibodeau's guidance and preference for hardworking and players driven on defense. Rubio is hard-working, but his defense is not that impressive. The Spanish player's defensive performance, however, has improved since his first two NBA seasons, according to The Inquisitr.

Thibodeau's coaching has improved the defense of Derrick Rose, Aaron Brooks, Nate Robinson, and D.J. Augustin, and Rubio could be next. Also, the Timberwolves could put Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gorgui Dieng in their starting lineup. These three players could compensate for Rubio's defensive discrepancies.

The Timberwolves is closely paying attention to Rubio's play in the men's basketball competition at the Rio Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil, Sportsrageous noted. His performance is struggling, averaging just 1.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 14.4 minutes per game.