NBA trade rumors 2016: Timberwolves trading Ricky Rubio to Kings? Experts claim trade 'makes sense'

Ricky Rubio may be representing his country at the ongoing 2016 Rio Olympics, but it doesn't mean he's excluded from a trade rumor.

With the new season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) just a few months away, talks that Ricky Rubio is on the trading block is getting louder. Apparently, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard is being traded off to Sacramento Kings, a team in dire need of a legitimate starting point guard.

Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors claimed that a possible deal between the two teams — which would involve trading Rubio for Rudy Gay â€” "makes a lot of sense." If the deal pushes through, the Timberwolves will get a starting forward, and in the process move Andrew Wiggins to a shooting guard position while the Kings end up with a starting point guard.

"It makes a lot of sense. Kris Dunn and Tyus Jones are the point guards of the future in Minnesota, and the Wolves don't need Rubio around to take away their playing time," said Hill when asked about the possibility of a Rubio–Gay trade.

Currently, Rubio is being kept as a backup by the Timberwolves. Hill went on to point out that it would be too expensive for the Timberwolves to keep Rubio as a backup. As it is, the guard is signed for the next three seasons at $13.55 million, $14.25 million, and $14.8 million for the first, second and third, respectively. 

With the Timberwolves looking for a wing player and the Kings needing a guard, a trade between Rubio and Gay would be a necessary move, according to Inquisitr. Both players' salaries match, so no additional players will be included should the trade happen.

The news outlet reported that Gay will be a good scorer off the bench for the Timberwolves, apart from being a slasher like Wiggins. More importantly, his experience will provide much-needed help in the Timberwolves' locker room.

As it is, Rubio is struggling at the Rio Olympics. An official report from the FIBA website said that he scored a measly three points in the first two games against Brazil and Croatia. Nevertheless, more recent games showed him with good numbers, tallying 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists against Nigeria and 11 points, 4 assists against Lithuania.