With the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly trying to trade for Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe, the future of Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio is in question.
ESPN reported Friday the Timberwolves were willing to give Bledsoe a maximum level contract of $63 million over four years, the kind of contract Phoenix has thus far been unwilling to give. It's uncertain, however, if Minnesota has formally contacted Phoenix about a potential sign-and-trade. While it would make sense for Phoenix to deal Bledsoe if they're going to lose him next summer anyways, there seems to be a real hesitance on the Suns' part to move him.
Part of the hesitance is likely that teams, figuring Bledsoe will become an unrestricted free agent next summer anyways, are unwilling to offer anything of substantial value for the point guard.
Minnesota has Rubio, who becomes a restricted free agent next summer and purportedly wants a max-level contract, but it's doubtful Phoenix would want to pair him with point guard Goran Dragic - especially when Rubio would likely present the same problem next summer that the Suns are currently going through with Bledsoe.
The Bledsoe-to-Minnesota rumor, if it has any veracity, also puts in question Rubio's future with the Timberwolves. The team's front office seems content to let Rubio play out the season and decide in the summer whether he's worth a max contract. If they are already sure he isn't, Minnesota could look to move Rubio soon to avoid the restricted free agency limbo Phoenix is in with Bledsoe.
"(The Bledsoe rumors make me) think Minnesota has reservations about maxing Rubio out," Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders wrote Saturday. "I know we'll hear about how they plan on playing the two together and we're going to see that this season...but part of me really wonders if a maxed out Rubio is really what we should expect to see in Minny over the next five years?
"Not guaranteeing it by any stretch, but I could see a scenario where they at least 'listened to' offers if teams started calling to inquire."
Phoenix reportedly has no interest in shopping Bledsoe, although it could be a smokescreen to help them get the highest offer.
