Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio not likely to be traded, owner says

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor says he does not think Ricky Rubio will be traded.

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Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio has been the subject of many trade rumors ever since the team took Kris Dunn with the fifth pick in this year's draft, but owner Glen Taylor doesn't think the Spaniard is going anywhere. 

“I don’t see that as a likely possibility,” Taylor said to the Star Tribune's Sid Hartman regarding a Rubio trade. “I just think the coach, everybody, likes Ricky. I think we want him to come in and improve on his shooting. But his other things, he plays defense, he gets assists, he helps the others get better. He has some wonderful qualities.

“I think the coach wants to bring an assistant coach to help Ricky on his shooting and I think that’s where we’re going to start out and go and we’ll see how good Kris Dunn is.”

Rubio, 25, was selected by Minnesota with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, and has played in the league for five years. He was reportedly floated in trade discussions during last year's trade deadline, and during the week of the draft.

In 76 games last year, Rubio averaged 10.1 points and 8.6 assists in 30.6 minutes.

Minnesota also has young point guards Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones on its roster.

- Kenny Ducey