Utah is hoping the acquisition of Rubio will help persuade free-agent Gordon Hayward to re-sign with the Jazz.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading point guard Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a protected first round pick, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt.
The person requested anonymity because the deal wasn’t announced publicly.
The Jazz will send Oklahoma City’s 2018 first round pick to Minnesota. The pick is protected for 1-14 in 2018,2019 and 2020.
The move comes on the eve of free agency as Jazz free agent point guard George Hill mulls his options. The move could also factor into All-Star Gordon Hayward’s decision to come back to Utah. Hayward is expected to meet with the Jazz on Monday after holding meetings with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics over the weekend.
As for the Timberwolves’ point guard situation, free agent point guard Jeff Teague is in play, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick.
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