There have been whispers the aforementioned players could be part of a package deal for Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio, whom the Bucks looked into acquiring at last year’s trading deadline. Rubio is expected to be dealt to open a starting spot for highly-regarded rookie Kris Dunn
More on Ricky Rubio to Bucks?
Jon Krawczynski: Lot of questions about Rubio-Middleton talks tonight. Here's what I was told at the time from multiple people... Bucks called several times that week trying to get Rubio. Each time they were told "Khris Middleton has to be involved to have talks." And each time the Bucks said they wouldn't part with Middleton. So that was the end of that.
After some initial talks, the Wolves told Milwaukee they would swap Ricky Rubio for Khris Middelton, and when the Bucks declined, Minnesota even discussed the possibility of tossing in a protected 2016 first-round pick, per league sources familiar with the matter. Other outlets have reported Milwaukee's interest in Rubio -- Jason Kidd seems to have a thing for rangy point guards with busted jumpers -- but Milwaukee never seriously entertained trading Middleton, sources say.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker were never on the block, leaving Milwaukee with only one real counter: a point guard challenge trade of Michael Carter-Williams for Rubio. Minnesota obviously wasn't doing that, and the discussions died, sources say.
Minnesota hasn't been actively searching for a trade for point guard Ricky Rubio this week, but that is likely to change this summer, league sources told The Vertical. Minnesota may start canvassing the market for a better shooting point guard to pair with young stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. One NBA coach who has long been enamored with Rubio, league sources said: Milwaukee's Jason Kidd. The New York Knicks' desire to find a point guard could lead them to Rubio, too.
