The Minnesota Timberwolves had eyes on trading Ricky Rubio on draft night last week, and the indications have been that his time with the Wolves is at an end, especially after the team drafted Kris Dunn (and didn't trade him for Jimmy Butler). Rubio is an incredible passer and brilliant defender; the Wolves have been much better with him on the floor than off (9.3 net points per 100 possessions better). But his upside seems to have stagnated at age 25 and the problems with his jumper and finishing at the rim continue.

Still, they couldn't find a deal for him, and the Sporting News reports the team is likely to wait until after free agency cools down to try and move him again. However, Sean Deveney also reports a list of potential suitors who may still be interested, and says that the Wolves may keep Rubio ... until mid-season.

Minnesota also has not ruled out the possibility to hanging on to Rubio and letting him help ease in Dunn before trading him at some point next season. The Celtics did that with Rondo after drafting Marcus Smart in 2014, trading Rondo in December that year. Depending on how free agency shakes out, league sources said there would be no shortage of teams interested in Rubio, including Philadelphia, Houston and the Bucks, who were unwilling to part with Khris Middleton to land Rubio four months ago. The Mavericks, with an interest in signing Mike Conley as a priority, would be a potential partner and a team for which Rubio might like to play.

Source: Ricky Rubio trade bids will pour in for Timberwolves -- after free agency rush.

The big takeaway from this is that Rubio is effectively done in Minnesota. This gives the indication that the decision is made. This doesn't read as "the Wolves may trade Rubio," it's "the Wolves are trading Rubio and it's a matter of when." That should be the most important thing taken away from this; Ricky Rubio will not be the Wolves starting point guard by the end of next year. That's the message. Whether that is what happens or not is a different matter.

As for his suitors:

Philadelphia: They need NBA players, especially at point guard, and Rubio is that. Rubio and Ben Simmons would make for the most times opponents have gone under one team's screens to let them shoot in NBA history, but it would also be crazy fun with the kind of passing and athleticism they'd have.

They need NBA players, especially at point guard, and Rubio is that. Rubio and Ben Simmons would make for the most times opponents have gone under one team's screens to let them shoot in NBA history, but it would also be crazy fun with the kind of passing and athleticism they'd have. Houston: The Rockets could really use Rubio's playmaking and defense, and in a Mike D'Antoni system, Rubio might break the single-season assists record. However, they have a tough defender who can hit shots in Patrick Beverley, so it kind of creates a dilemma. If only they could meld them into Rickrick Bevubio.

The Rockets could really use Rubio's playmaking and defense, and in a Mike D'Antoni system, Rubio might break the single-season assists record. However, they have a tough defender who can hit shots in Patrick Beverley, so it kind of creates a dilemma. If only they could meld them into Rickrick Bevubio. Milwaukee: Man, teams really don't like Michael Carter-Williams once they get him. Rubio with the Bucks' athleticism would be crazy fun and Jason Kidd might get the most out of Rubio of anyone, considering how similar Rubio's game is to Kidd's at that age.

We'll see if the Wolves pull the trigger, or if things stagnate long enough for the situation to change and for the Wolves to potentially keep the Spanish phenom.