The Sacramento Kings chose to sign Ty Lawson recently as a way to continue life without Rajon Rondo, who left to join the Chicago Bulls in free agency.
It was a rather shrug-worthy move for the team, especially because some figured the Kings would want to make a much bigger splash if it was a way to keep DeMarcus Cousins happy.
Apparently the team tried, and perhaps with Ricky Rubio.
Mitch Lawrence said on Sirius XM Radio many thought the Kings were close to a deal for Rubio (via HoopsHype):
“I have heard in the last couple of weeks that the Kings were telling people, ‘We’re close to making a deal for a point guard’. And a lot of people thought that was going to be Ricky Rubio.”
Rubio, of course, has been one of the hottest names to come up in trade rumors for a while now. He’s not only been an odd fit with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team just went out and spent a high pick on point guard Kris Dunn.
Many teams figure to have an interest in Rubio because he’s still just 25 years old. Odd fit or not, he managed averages of 10.1 points, 8.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. How he fits into the plan in Minnesota is hard to say, but it’s clear from the fact he hasn’t moved that the front office’s asking price is rather high.
The Kings have an interesting trade chip in Rudy Gay, who appeared disgruntled over the summer. If the Kings brought him up, though, it’s clear a team with Andrew Wiggins wasn’t listening.
Rubio might still move, but for the Kings it’s another case of what could have been.
