Ricky Rubio on post-Kevin Love Timberwolves: 'We have to move on'

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio told NBA.com the team needs "to move on" now that longtime Timberwolves player Kevin Love has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubiotold NBA.com the team needs "to move on" now that forward Kevin Love has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Love, who had been with Minnesota since 2008, was traded in August for 2014 No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins, 2013 No. 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett and forward Thaddeus Young.

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There were rumors all last season about whether Love would seek a trade, something that Rubio said had a negative effect on the team. 

“Of course we had a lot going on last year and the media was talking, they were wondering if Kevin wanted to be here, blah, blah, blah, and that hurt the team and hurt himself,” Rubio said. “Now that he’s not here, the media’s not going to talk about that anymore. I think that’s going to be good for him and for us.”

Minnesota finished 40-42 last season, missing the playoffs and coming in third in the Northwest Division. 

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Rubio said the team needs to step up in 2014-15, and that he especially needs to be more vocal and more of a leader to guide the younger players. 

"I think we have a lot of vets here that can do that. Mo [Williams] is a great example. Me and Kevin Martin can do the same thing," he said. 

The Timberwolves open the preseason on Oct. 7. Their first regular-season game is on Oct. 29 at the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Rubio, 23, averaged 9.5 points, 8.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds last season. 

- Molly Geary