Ricky Rubio is back where it all started, as the Spanish guard has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with the 25th and 28th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft in exchange for the 17th pick Aleksej Pokusevski.
The 25th overall pick, which the Timberwolves traded to the Knicks, was used to select Immanuel Quickley. The 28th overall pick was used to select Jalen McDaniels.
Minnesota is acquiring Oklahoma City's Ricky Rubio, the 25th and 28th picks for a package that includes the No. 17 pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
Rubio spent last season with Phoenix and was dealt to the Thunder just when the trade season began. As a part of that deal, Phoenix received Chris Paul and Abdel Nader, while the Thunder got Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick.
Now, Rubio returns to Minnesota, place where he was drafted in 2009 and played the first six seasons of his career. The veteran guard averaged 13.0 points, 8.8 assists and 1.4 steals during the 2019-20 season with Phoenix.
The Timberwolves did a great job of reshaping the roster on draft night. Aside from selecting Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, Minnesota also got Leandro Bolmare and McDaniels in the first round.
Minnesota haven't been able to make the playoffs since 2018, and Edwards is expected to bring them back there alongside D'Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony Towns and now, Rubio.