Latest rumors are out that the Minnesota Timberwolves are "actively shopping" Ricky Rubio and that the Sacramento Kings are interested in acquiring the starting point guard.

CBS Sports cited The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that the Wolves are "actively shopping" the five-year veteran at the moment. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is reportedly looking to increase the role of last June's fifth overall pick Kris Dunn and would include also include small forward Shabazz Muhammad to the trade package.

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According to the report, Thibodeau is looking for "a 'bridge' guard in return, a player capable of starting in the short term, but who'll ultimately settle into a backup role and give way to rookie Kris Dunn to become the long-term starter".

Sacramento is said to be keen on reaching a deal, but Minnesota is said to be not in a hurry as the team is "trying to exhaust the market elsewhere for a better return of assets than the Kings can offer".

Right now, the Kings have Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, and Garrett Temple at the point guard position and the Wolves may not be satisfied with any one of them to pursue a trade with Sacramento.

Other potential trade partners for Minnesota are the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Bulls.

However, Sporting News reported that the Kings have "strong interest" in getting Rubio as the team has long been searching for the ideal point guard to pair with DeMarcus Cousins.

The 26-year-old Rubio, who is only in the second year of his four-year, $55 million deal with the Wolves, is still relatively young for an experienced floor general and could be a perfect complement to Cousins with his "wonderful passing, excellent defense, above-average rebounding".

His weakness remains to be in the "shooting" area, but Cousins, Rudy Gay, and the rest of the Kings' starters are capable outside shooters to compensate for that limitation.

Rubio is currently averaging 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.9 steals in 31.8 minutes per game in 36 games for Thibodeau.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2017, Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, sacramento kings