According to Shams Charania, a writer covering NBA basketball at The Vertical, the Utah Jazz have acquired star guard Ricky Rubio. The 26 year old 6'4" guard brings top-notch passing ability to go with some mild scoring punch. He averaged 11.1 points per game and 9.1 assists per game during the 2016/17 NBA's regular season as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jazz trade first-round draft pick

The Jazz lose a future first-round pick in the deal, arguably making the transaction one that certainly suits Utah right now. Losing a future pick may hurt Utah down the road, but the franchise appears to be in the moment when it comes to creating a more competitive team.

For Minnesota, the move might seem a little perplexing. They had recently acquired Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls, a move that suggested that they were going to try and improve their chances of not just making the playoffs, but doing well in them. Letting go of a star player such as Rubio in exchange for a future draft pick might seem like they aren't interested in the immediate future. However, the trade involving Ricky Rubio certainly doesn't mean that the Timberwolves are heading in the wrong direction. Free agency in the NBA starts this weekend and they look to be an active team, one that could address their vacancies with key signings.

Jazz still major longshots for NBA title

In the immediate aftermath of the trade news, the betting odds on the Utah Jazz have not changed much.

They remain at really long odds to win the NBA title, priced at +20000 (200 to 1) with SportingBet. However, if the Jazz re-sign Gordon Hayward, then odds might shorten for them among the favorites. In the recently-completed season, the Jazz were second rounders, losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference's semifinals via a sweep.

They are definitely a team that needs to improve if they want to be more competitive in the Western Conference next season.

Roster changes a-plenty expected soon

This time of the year promises to be incredibly hectic when it comes to NBA roster changes.

The Chris Paul trade from a short time ago was major as he went from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets. Among other news in the NBA on Friday, Rajon Rondo, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, was traded. There promises to be a lot more headlines this weekend regarding teams losing and gaining players as the free-agency feeding frenzy starts.
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