Ricky Rubio experienced the harsh business side of the NBA in November 2020 when he was traded from the competing Suns to the rebuilding OKC Thunder.
That move certainly dampened the then-30-year-old's dreams of winning an elusive championship. However, what bothered 'La Pistola' even more was the way his former team sent him packing.
"It was a surprise, especially because of the communication that there has been. When the rumors about my transfer, I called my people, and they told me that my name was not on the table," shared Rubio, per Eurohoops.
Rubio and the Suns seemed to be on the right path
Ricky's Suns tenure began about a year and a half earlier when he signed a $51 million contract for three seasons. Initially, that decision seemed like the right one.
Right out of the gate, the Spanish point guard made an impact on the Phoenix franchise. Not long after, 'La Pistola' recorded his first triple-double. This was followed by a revenge game against his former team, the Jazz, where Ricky posted 20+ points, 10+ assists, and 7+ steals—something nobody had achieved for the Suns since Kevin Johnson in 1996.
However, when the season was paused due to Covid in March 2020, his team had a disappointing record of 26-39. Despite the odds, they bounced back impressively when play resumed. During the NBA Bubble, the team from Arizona managed to win all eight of their remaining games, with Rubio starting in each one.
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Unexpected departure
Naturally, such a great run, even if it ultimately didn't secure a playoff spot, made everyone in Phoenix really excited for the new season. However, the front office didn't seem to share that enthusiasm and shipped Rubio off instead. After giving his all for the franchise, the Spaniard was clearly not pleased by that.
"It doesn't taste good when you're involved in a project, give it your all, and then have to leave at the first opportunity," he explained.
Furthermore, the 2010 EuroLeague winner, who has been open about his struggles with depression , remarked that "those who are in charge of these things have to understand that, in addition to being players, we are also people."
Despite all the turmoil, there was a silver lining for Rubio. His new team, the Thunder, also traded him, this time sending the pass-first point guard to Minnesota. Back then, the Timberwolves had two promising guards on their roster in, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards, whom the NBA vet was now set to mentor. Moreover, 'La Pistola' had already spent six years with the franchise earlier in his career, and after the whole situation with the Phoenix trade, he now looked forward to the future with a strengthened mindset.
"When things get complicated, you have to bring out your character and put more wood to the fire. If you don't want these things to happen to you, be the best in the world to be able to make your own decisions," Rubio emphasized.
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