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Fantasy Basketball: 5 Reasons Why You Should Trade Ricky Rubio

Fantasy Basketball: 5 Reasons to Trade Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio has not played since suffering a severe left ankle injury in early November, but he has ramped up his physical activity recently and may be close to returning.

Here are five reasons fantasy basketball owners that have hung on to Rubio should look to trade him right now.

5. A Slow Start Upon Returning?

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. A Slow Start Upon Returning?

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Rubio should step right into a starting role when he is ready to return, but I expect his minutes to be capped in at least his first handful of games back. I'm comfortable assuming he'll have some mental hurdles to clear, and the Timberwolves will not risk Rubio's long-term health as another losing season winds down.

4. Rubio's Weaknesses Are Still Present

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rubio's Weaknesses Are Still Present

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

This season's early five-game sample is not a lot to draw from, but Rubio presumably still has a lot of work to do as a perimeter shooter, and it's fair to think any notable improvement won't come this season.

3. A Returning Supporting Cast

Minnesota Timberwolves, Fantasy Basketball
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. A Returning Supporting Cast

Minnesota Timberwolves, Fantasy Basketball
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Timberwolves appear to be getting healthier, with center Nikola Pekovic returning recently and guard Kevin Martin close to being back. Rubio's fantasy outlook should be pointing up a bit by the time he takes the floor again, so a sell-high opportunity stands to present itself.

2. Perception of Value

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
David Sherman-Getty Images

2. Perception of Value

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
David Sherman-Getty Images

Even playing for the Timberwolves, Rubio carries name recognition and a perception of star power. But he essentially offers noteworthy production in two (assists and steals) or maybe three (add rebounds) fantasy categories, and his scoring is at best inconsistent.

1. Point Guard Depth

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

1. Point Guard Depth

Ricky Rubio, Fantasy Basketball
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There are a lot of point guards with something to offer fantasy owners, and that is not the case at other positions. Any fantasy owner that still has Rubio has presumably been surviving without him, and he is a tradeable asset for anyone that has other holes on a roster.

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