Rubio has rejected a four-year deal in search of a five-year, max contract extension.
According to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, Ricky Rubio has rejected a four-year, $48 million extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deveney reports that Rubio is looking for a five-year, max contract from the team, which would end up being around the $85 million mark under next year’s salary cap. The Wolves and Rubio have until Oct. 31 to agree to a deal, or Rubio will become a restricted free agent next summer.
With the reported five-year, $60 million extension Kenneth Faried just signed, Eric Bledsoe’s five year, $70 million extension with Phoenix, and the NBA’s massive new TV deal, Rubio is in the right to reject this offer. Despite his outside shooting struggles and his inability to finish at the rim, Rubio is one of the premier passers in the NBA, and is a solid perimeter defender.
$12 million per season is a solid figure, but as Denevey reports, Rubio wants a five-year deal. The Timberwolves, however, can only give one out one five-year extension, and with potential star talent Andrew Wiggins on the roster, Minnesota is reluctant to do so.
If Rubio wants to earn that fifth year, improving his play on the offensive end is key. The Timberwolves recently hired Mike Penberthy as a full-time shooting coach, and if he is able to improve Rubio’s shooting mechanics, it may be in Rubio’s best interest to become a restricted free agent, show improvement during the year, and then hit the free agent market with a rising salary cap.
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