The Minnesota Timberwolves and point guard Ricky Rubio face an Oct. 31 deadline to agree on a contract extension. Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Timberwolves and point guard Ricky Rubio face an Oct. 31 deadline to agree on a contract extension, but the two sides are “a good distance apart,” according to the St. Paul Star Tribune.
Also, Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton said Thursday that “we’re not necessarily in a rush” to get a deal done.
Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, is reportedly seeking a maximum contract. Rubio, who will be 24 when the season starts, has developed into a strong point guard in terms of terms of defense, passing and rebounding. However, he is not much of a scorer and his shooting is subpar.
Last season, Rubio averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 32.2 minutes over 82 games and shot just 38.1 percent.
There were reports that the Timberwolves were interested in trading for Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe but were only willing to give up undesirable contracts for him. The Suns reportedly are only willing to deal Bledsoe for an All-Star-caliber player.
