Ricky Rubio, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft who opted to return overseas, is interested in playing for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks or Miami Heat, according to a report in The New York Times.
The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted the 20-year-old Rubio in 2009, but he decided to remain in Spain and play for F.C. Barcelona. Rubio still has an option to sign his rookie-level contract with the T'Wolves, but according to a senior member of his camp, he probably won't be going to Minnesota anytime soon.
"The bottom line is, why would he want to play in Minnesota?" a senior member of Rubio's camp said this month. "He'll continue to say all the diplomatic things, and Minnesota needs to keep his value up for trade purposes, but the family's preference is to be on the East Coast, specifically New York, Miami or Boston. He wouldn't be troubled if he has to stay another year."
Rubio's value has dropped considerably, as he has struggled ever since deciding against playing in the NBA. Through 28 games this season with F.C. Barcelona, Rubio is shooting a dismal 32 percent from the floor.
Nevertheless, Rubio is still a talented point guard that could blossom in the NBA. He is well known for his dynamic passing and has a team-first mentality, two crucial traits for a point guard. Even though Rubio is talented, playing in Boston may not be in his best interest, nor the Celtics'. Boston already has a point guard who has a team-first mentality and can make jaw-dropping passes (a.k.a. Rajon Rondo).
In addition, bringing in a high-draft-pick-caliber player like Rubio would require having a significant amount of minutes to give him, and the Celtics' certainly don't have that. Rondo receives most of the playing time at the point, and back up Nate Robinson, who is locked in for another year, also receives a healthy portion of minutes.
The chances of Rubio winding up in Boston are very slim, although he does have the potential to be a dynamic guard in the NBA. Keep an eye out for Rubio, because more likely than not, he will be taking his game to the United States sooner rather than later.