SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 04: Injured player Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz watches from the bench in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)Ricky Rubio is on the move. The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly trading the veteran point guard to the Eastern Conference.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves are trading Rubio to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are also sending a 2022 second-round pick and cash for Cleveland’s Taurean Prince in return.
“TRADE: The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves G Ricky Rubio, a 2022 second-round pick and cash for Taurean Prince, sources tell ESPN,” Woj reported via Twitter.
Rubio started 51 and played in 68 games for the Timberwolves last season. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game. The Cavaliers were in desperate need of a veteran backup point guard. Rubio fits the bill. He’s heading to Cleveland.
TRADE: The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves G Ricky Rubio, a 2022 second-round pick and cash for Taurean Prince, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
Taurean Prince, meanwhile, appeared in just 29 games this past season. During that span, he scored 10.1 points and grabbed 3.7 rebounds per game. He should provide good depth at forward for Minnesota this upcoming season.
This won’t be the only time the Cavaliers make headlines on Thursday. Cleveland will pick third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. It’s a pivotal moment in the organization’s history.
There’s four players in this year’s draft class coined locks to be future stars. Those players include Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs. Cleveland will probably have two to pick from, depending on how the top of the order shakes out.
The 2021 NBA Draft begins on ESPN and ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
