The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a deal to send point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Timberwolves will get a top-14 protected 2018 first-round pick via the Oklahoma City Thunder. By trading Rubio, the Timberwolves have shown that they will pursue a new starting point guard in free agency. In other guard news around the NBA, the Chicago Bulls have waived Rajon Rondo, while the Philadelphia 76ers have done the same with Gerald Henderson.

Rubio headed to Utah

The move by the Utah Jazz to trade for point guard Ricky Rubio is in response to likely losing George Hill to free agency and in an effort to convince All-Star Gordon Hayward to stay with the team. Utah needed to make this move before midnight on Friday or else they would have lost the $16 million dollars in expiring salary-cap space to make this trade.

In Rubio, the Jazz get a player five years younger than Hill. However, he has only played 70 or more games in three of his six seasons in the league.

Last season Rubio averaged 11.1 points, 9.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals. He is known for his amazing court vision and passing ability, but has been dogged by poor shooting. He shot 40.2% from the field and 30.6% from three last year. That was the first time he has shot over 40% in a season, has his career average is 37.5%.

Bulls part ways with Rondo

First, the Chicago Bulls traded starting small forward Jimmy Butler and now they have parted ways with starting point guard Rajon Rondo. By waiving Rondo the Bulls save over $13 million from a team option that would have become fully guaranteed today.

However, the team will still owe him $3 million. This move cements that the Bulls are in rebuilding mode and will see their younger point guards be able to get more minutes. Last season, Rondo averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He shot 40.8% from the field and 37.6% from three.

Sixers waive veteran Gerald Henderson

The Philadelphia 76ers have waived veteran guard Gerald Henderson, who at 29-years-old was the third oldest player on their team. Last season with the team Henderson played in 72 games and started 41 of them. He averaged 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 42.4% shooting from the field and 35.5% shooting from three. Waiving Henderson will give the 76ers young guards more playing time, which was needed in the wake of drafting Markelle Fultz with the number one pick in the NBA Draft.
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