The Minnesota Timberwolves and their point guard Ricky Rubio have until October 31 to negotiate on a contract extension or both parties will have to wait next summer when Rubio becomes a restricted free agent to work out a deal. Rubio and his camp reportedly want a max contract that would come in the tune of fives years but the Timberwolves are only willing to hand out a four-year deal to the Spanish point guard. Discussions have stopped with the October deadline fast approaching but the Timberwolves aren't going to rush things according to ESPN:
"We're going to look at the situation the same way we did with Kevin (Love)," Newton said. "We're going to do the best thing for the organization, and if we can get something done sooner, great. If not, we're not necessarily in a rush.
The Timberwolves, however, should consider their options carefully because if Rubio becomes a restricted free agent next summer, teams with plenty of salary cap space will surely try to pry the free agent away from Minnesota. What's more, rumors are spreading that Ricky Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, has his eyes set on the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks and "intends to push his client in the direction of palm trees and sunshine or skyscrapers and below zero temperatures" per Hoops Habit.
The Knicks don't make much sense though as Phil Jackson is not normally fond of ball dominant point guards within his beloved triangle offense. But when Rubio enters the free agency market next July, the Los Angeles Lakers will surely be one of the prime candidates to offer him a contract that is close to what he wants.
LA Times reported that the NBA has raised its salary-cap projection for the 2014-15 season from $62.9 million to $63.2 million. The Lakers have used a little more than $47 million of their cap room heading into the season and can go down to as much as $43 million if they want to. That gives the team roughly $20 million to spend on free agents next summer.
The Lakers need a quality point guard in the long-run and they have the money to throw at Rubio next summer if he becomes a restricted free agent. The Lakers, though, have plenty of options in the point guard position next offseason. Rajon Rondo and Kemba Walker - considering that they don't get an extension front their respective teams - are both viable options in 2015 in addition to Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic and their current point guard Jeremy Lin.
Join the Conversation