NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves Willing to Trade Ricky Rubio

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly willing to trade Ricky Rubio depending on the deal.

These rumors are claiming that even though Rubio signed a contract extension last October worth $55 million, the Timberwolves are putting him on the trading block to see what kind of offers they can get and if they receive one they like, Rubio will be headed out.

A few days prior to these rumors that the Wolves will trade Rubio, there were other rumors that Rubio's camp asked for a trade. These rumors, however, have been squashed.

The Spanish publication, La Prensasa, reported that Rubio stated that "at no time" has he ever thought about leaving Minnesota. Rubio was also optimistic that next season will be better.

He added, "Having the No. 1 pick in the draft is going to help us even more (in terms of the goal) of making the playoffs next season."

"Our future is bright," head coach Flip Saunders said. "We're moving into our new (practice) facility this week and next week. We're redoing the arena here. So a lot of things are going in a positive way."

The latest rumors are claiming that the Wolves will pick Duke University's Jahlil Okafor over Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns.

Rubio was sidelined for the majority of this past season due to an ankle injury. Although he is only 24-years-old, Rubio has not been able to develop his perimeter shot. He is, however, one of the league's better passers.

Rubio was selected fifth overall in 2008 by the Timberwolves. In his career, he averages 10.2 points per game with 8.2 assists. During this past season, he played in 22 games and averaged 10.3 points with 8.8 assists.

The Timberwolves had the league's worst record at 16-66.