Skip to content

Rubio struggled with trade rumors: 'We're human beings, too'

Jeffrey Becker / USA TODAY Sports

The trade deadline is an anxious enough time for NBA fans and front offices; imagine how stressful it is for players, whose destinations and futures hang in the balance, often unbeknownst to them, as executives barter and haggle on the phone.

For Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, this year's deadline was particularly uncertain, as his name was bandied about in trade rumors, including a much-talked-about deal with the New York Knicks that Minnesota reportedly entertained but ultimately balked at.

Though they decided not to pull the trigger, it's hard for Rubio to forget that the Wolves were not only prepared but seemingly eager to get rid of him.

"As pros, we know what's the deal, but this time felt a little different," Rubio said after Thursday's deadline passed, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.

"I mean, we're professionals, but we're human beings, too. So we have feelings, but I know this is a business and it has to be like that."

Wolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau was reportedly intrigued by the idea of reuniting with Knicks point guard Derrick Rose, whom he coached for several years in Chicago. He made no secret of his willingness to move on from Rubio, who remains an elite passer and strong defender, but has failed to remedy his well-documented shooting struggles this season.

Thibodeau has never been a sentimentalist, and he didn't express any concern about alienating his players on deadline day.

"You're expected to be a professional," he said "Everybody has a job to do. Come in, do your job. You can't get lost in the other stuff."

In the end, Rubio got through the tough day by taking his own advice.

"Mentally, it's tough, but there are things you can't control," he said. "We're playing basketball. There are people who decide where you're going to play. You can't control that. You come here and work hard every day and that's it."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox