The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly are unwilling to offer guard Ricky Rubio a max contract. The two sides are around $40 million apart on a new deal, according to Sporting News, and team president Flip Saunders would likely prefer to save his one five-year extension for a player such as Andrew Wiggins.
Rubio purportedly is pushing for a max five-year extension, something that Minnesota has always appeared unwilling to give. Sean Deveney of Sporting News confirmed Minnesota still holds that purported stance as of Monday evening.
Per Deveney:
"Rubio has been after a five-year contract with the Timberwolves, and though He'd like that deal to be a max, there is no doubt Minnesota won't go that high. In fact, while it has been reported that the two sides are far apart on a number, you can get a sense of just how far - league sources told Sporting News that the Timberwolves' best offer thus far has been four years in the range of $48 million.
"The exact amount Rubio could get with a max deal won't be known until next year's salary cap is announced, but as of now, it would shape up to be $85 million over the five years."
The difference - approximately $37 million - is similar to the situation Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe was in as a restricted free agent with his team. Phoenix was initially unwilling to budge from their $48 million offer, but the two sides ultimately reached a compromise of $70 million over five years shortly before the Oct. 1 deadine.
Rubio, though, isn't the same kind of player as Bledsoe. While the Spaniard can make plays and tally up assists, his shooting from the field leaves much to be desired. Deveney believes Saunders would rather save the five-year extension for a potential superstar like Wiggins; he also pointed out Rubio's purported insisitence on a max contract might be a way for Rubio to force his way out of Minnesota.
Rubio and the Timberwolves have until Oct. 31 to reach an agreement, otherwise he becomes a restricted free agent in July.
