:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55532549/usa_today_10006924.0.jpg)
The Utah Jazz have traded for Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard Ricky Rubio. They send the Oklahoma City 1st round draft pick earned from the Enes Kanter trade a couple years back.
I'm told Minnesota will be get a 2018 first-round pound to trade Ricky Rubio into Utah cap space. @tribjazz first to report deal happening
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2017
Via RealGM.com, here are the details on that pick:
2018 first round draft pick from Oklahoma City Oklahoma City's 1st round pick to Utah protected for selections 1-14 in 2018, 1-14 in 2019 and 1-14 in 2020; if Oklahoma City has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Utah by 2020, then Oklahoma City will instead convey its 2020 2nd round pick and 2021 2nd round pick to Utah [Detroit-Oklahoma City-Utah, 2/19/2015]
As a result, it could very well turn out to be two second rounders with how MVP crazy person Russell Westbrook is playing. That’s a bad trade for Minny as a result. As for Utah, well; many viewed the Enes Kanter trade as a major failure for the Jazz. Take a step back and you realize that they basically traded the 3rd pick of the 2011 draft, who’s now a 6th man, for the 5th of the 2009 draft, who’s now a starter. Long term the trade ended up being pretty even.
What does this mean for the short-term? Dennis Lindsay took advantage of the cap space that was left at the end of the season, and put himself in a better position for the Hayward negotiations. Gordon wanted a starting caliber point guard, and now they have one. Andy Larsen makes a good point here as well:
I know Jazz have been running possible trades by Gordon Hayward. I don't know if he liked or disliked this one.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) June 30, 2017
Hopefully this bodes well come Monday when Hayward sits down with the front office of the Utah Jazz. For now, let’s be exited about our newest player and welcome Ricky Rubio to Salt Lake!