NBA Trade Rumor: Ricky Rubio To Start Season With Timberwolves, Train Kris Dunn; Could Be Traded At Some Point Next Season?

When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Kris Dunn as a point guard in the 2016 NBA draft, speculations about the possibility of trading Ricky Rubio emerged. Recent news revealed though that the Spanish point guard is staying with the Timberwolves and is willing to train Kris Dunn.

With Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden at the helm of the Minnesota Timberwolves, major changes were expected to materialize as the two will try to improve the team's standing and reach the playoffs. As part of that, Ricky Rubio's name has been a constant item in NBA trade rumors, which was intensified when the Timberwolves got Kris Dunn. The 25-year-old point guard has kept mum in the middle of all the rumors, but recently, after winning bronze with Spain in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Rubio told the Associated Press that he intends to stay with his current team.

"Really it's a challenge. When a young guy like him who has a lot of potential comes, I think we can really play together. But if we don't [share the floor often], I can really help him [Dunn]," Ricky Rubio told AP, as reported by ESPN.

Aside from the addition of Kris Dunn, there are no indications that the Wolves is trading Ricky Rubio, NBA.com said. Dunn's addition to the team brings the Wolves more depth and addresses one of its biggest weaknesses in the previous season, which is the lack of solid backup for Ricky Rubio. Thibodeau also said that he sees Dunn and Rubio working together.

But as the Minnesota Timberwolves continues to rebuild, the possibility of trading Ricky Rubio at some point in the 2016-2017 NBA season is something to keep an eye on, Basketball Insiders said. In the meantime, Rubio is still young and yet an accomplished floor general, which makes him a valuable asset for the Wolves.