In the summer of 2008 I went to Alaska. Some close friends had recently moved there, and the timing just worked out. I visited for a week. I went camping, hunting and fishing. But my friends still had to work a couple of days, so I spent those days watching Olympic basketball. That was when I first saw Ricky Rubio. I’d heard about him before, but it was my first chance to watch him and I fell in love with his potential.

I desperately wanted Rubio on the Sacramento Kings. Entering the 2009 Draft Lottery the Kings had the best odds to land the top pick. I argued on this site for weeks about Rubio’s potential. I openly argued that the Kings should take him instead of Blake Griffin. I was crushed when the Kings fell to the 4th pick. But then a funny thing happened, the mocks all had Rubio sliding. Draft night came and the Clippers took Blake first. The Grizzlies took Hasheem Thabeet second. The Thunder took James Harden third. I was beside myself. I couldn’t believe he’d fallen into our laps. The Kings were going to get their man, even at the fourth pick.

And then the Kings took Tyreke Evans and my heart broke again.

But sometimes fate gives you a second chance.

10 years later, Ricky Rubio is hitting the free agent market. He’s never turned into the player I imagined, and boy would it have been a mistake to take him over Blake or Harden. Tyreke I think is debatable, but I don’t fault anyone who believes Reke was the right choice for the franchise as the time. But my love for Ricky remains strong. Is it a rational love? Absolutely not. But my heart jumped when I saw this tweet.

Ricky Rubio, minutes ago on spanish TV: "Utah has let me know that I am not a priority for them" (thanks to Google translate).

— El Jazz (@Jazz_Spain) June 2, 2019

It’s been widely reported that the Kings want to upgrade the backup point guard spot. While Rubio has his flaws (he never figured out how to shoot), he would provide stability to the bench unit. He’s a tremendous passer, can get to the rim despite his lack of shooting threat, and is still a solid defender.

Is this likely? Absolutely not. In the same interview Rubio discussed his desire to play a leading role for a playoff team. Translation via HoopsHype:

Rubio obviously wouldn’t be in a leading role with the Kings. He’d be backing up De’Aaron Fox, who averaged 31 minutes per game last year and could play even more minutes this coming year. Rubio’s shooting limits his ability to play off ball next to Fox. Rubio would be in a reduced role, and it doesn’t sound like he’s ready to accept that yet. But the Kings were the best team in the NBA to miss the playoffs last season. If you want to play an important role on a team with playoff aspirations, Ricky should look at Sacramento.

None of this will probably happen, but I’m keeping hope alive until he signs somewhere else.