Report: Timberwolves, Rubio agree on 4-year, $55M extension
Ricky Rubio is staying in Minnesota for the long haul.
On Friday, the Timberwolves reached an agreement on a four-year, $55-million extension on Rubio's rookie-scale contract, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
This deal feels about right, with the market having more or less dictated that Rubio would receive between $12 million annually and the maximum allowed. With Kemba Walker receiving four years and $48 million, Rubio's camp had a floor established, and the Wolves are probably happy with a deal short of the max. It's comparable to the five-year, $70-million pact signed by Eric Bledsoe in Phoenix this offseason (but obviously a year shorter).
Drafted with the No. 5 pick in 2009, Rubio spent two additional seasons in Spain before joining the Wolves for the 2011-12 season. Over three years, he's impressed with his defense and playmaking, though his scoring numbers have lagged behind a little thanks to a poor jump shot and an inability to finish at the rim.
At age 24, there's plenty of time for Rubio's offensive game to improve. And even if the shot never comes along, this is an immensely talented player.
Rubio is one of the best rebounding guards in the league and may be a top-five player at his position defensively. With long arms and a high defensive IQ, Rubio's able to rack up steals and funnel drives with the best of them. His positioning is rarely in question, and his teams have been 2.4 points per-100 possessions better on defense with him on the court in his career.
The contract should also keep his teammates happy, as Rubio is among the league's best and most exciting passers. In 182 career games, he's averaged 8.1 assists, the fifth most in the NBA since he entered the league. His team's offenses have been 4.8 points per-100 possessions better with him for his career, showing he can effectively run a team while shooting 36.9 percent from the floor.
It's worth keeping in mind that any contract signed now could be interpreted differently as the salary cap rises. It seems a steep price now, but it's easily conceivable that Rubio will grow to earn that figure.