#1 Ricky Rubio – Utah Jazz (6-4, 190 lbs, 27 years old)
2017-18 Stats : 42 percent from the field, 35 percent from three (1.2 makes per game), 87 percent on free throws; 13.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 29.3 minutes per game.
2018 Playoffs: 35 percent from the field, 31 percent from three (1.7 makes per game), 78 percent from the foul line; 14 points, 7.3 assists, 7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 30.2 minutes per game.
Rubio is my personal choice for Phoenix Suns starting point guard. I’ve been a fan of his for a while. We’ve been well aware of his playmaking prowess for seasons, including a career high 9.1 assists per game in 2016-17.
He knows what it’s like to win, as the Spaniard has 5 Euro titles on his resume. Last season, with the help of current Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov, he posted career highs in points, field goal percentage, three point percentage, and three pointers made and attempted.
Rubio can keep calm under pressure too, netting 86.6 percent of his free throws – 1 of only 10 players to do so with at least 250 attempts. Known to be a solid defensive player, he was 12th in the league in steals last season. So he’s the all around package – he can shoot and score when needed, is an elite playmaker, and a solid defender.
Only Chris Paul had more assists and steals with less turnovers last season. He would make the players around him better, provide veteran leadership, and be a solid lead guard for seasons to come as he’s just entering his prime. The Suns should offer Troy Daniels, T.J. Warren and our 1st round pick with protections and see if we can’t make a deal.