ESPN survey rates Suns’ Rubio signing as one of NBA offseason’s worst
Jul 25, 2019, 6:55 AM
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio (3) drives as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Tyler Johnson (16) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Even with the signing of Ricky Rubio, some in the NBA doesn’t believe the Phoenix Suns have found the right answer at point guard.
An ESPN survey of 20 coaches, executives and scouts from around the NBA had six rate the move as the worst of the summer.
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The Suns signed Rubio to a three-year, $51 million contract in early July.
From ESPN’s Tim Bontemps:
Phoenix, meanwhile, was both docked for the three-year, $51 million contract it handed to Rubio, but also for the price it paid — De’Anthony Melton and two second-round picks — to dump Josh Jackson‘s contract to clear the space to sign him in the first place.
“They paid him a lot of money, and he isn’t very good,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Maybe it was the best they could do to finally get a point guard, but you’re designed for less than mediocrity.”
Rubio is not considered a star in the league but brings a pass-first and defensive mindset to the Suns at the point guard position. Rubio averaged 12.7 points and 6.1 assists per game last season with the Utah Jazz, along with 1.3 steals.
His shooting numbers are less impressive, though. Rubio shot 40.4% from the field last year and made just 31.1% of his threes. The 28-year-old guard took 10.7 shots a game, with 3.7 of them coming from behind the arc.
The signing of Rubio received six votes to be ranked as the worst move of the summer, tying with the New York Knicks’ overall offseason. The Charlotte Hornets’ signing of Terry Rozier finished in second place.
