Ricky Rubio is confident that he will not be traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 24-year-old point guard was in Dubai for the BasicBall Academy when The Gulf News asked him about being in the trade rumors.

"I have confidence that the team wants me but you know in this league anybody can get traded. You don't listen to the rumours. You just live day-by-day and that's it," Rubio answered.

He also said "Yes" after being asked if he wants to stay with the Timberwolves and be part of the young core that has a possibility to break their 12-year playoff drought.

Rubio said that he plans to lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs. "My goal is to bring this team to the playoffs. It has been my dream for four years. In my first year, I almost did it, but then I got hurt and everybody got hurt too so we couldn't do it," he said.

Minnesota has a great core of young talents -- 2015 1st overall pick Karl Towns, 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, Slam Dunk Champion Zach LaVine, defensive big man Gorgui Dieng, scorer Shabazz Muhammad and 2013 1st overall pick Anthony Bennett.

Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report believes that the Rubio's time with Minnesota is coming to an end.

"I'm hearing that the Minnesota Timberwolves are actually looking at potentially moving off of Rubio at this point. They've seen enough, and they do not believe that he is the future, in spite of the fact that he's only 24. Now, they've tested the trade waters. I'm hearing that they're quiet right now, but that they could return to looking to see what they could get for Rubio once the season begins," Bucher said, as quoted by NBC Sports.

According to Spanish newspaper, Gigantes Del Basket as translated by Sportando via FOX Sports, Phil Jackson and the Knicks are a possible destination, as they are looking for an upgrade at point guard.

FOX Sports also reported that the Knicks will need to give up a lot for Rubio.

The Spaniards' contract -- four years for $55 million -- is too much to take for the Knicks. The Timberwolves have 39-year-old Andre Miller as backup and also rookie Tyus Jones, who they traded for in the draft. He is a Minnesota native and the Wolves view him as the possible floor leader for the future, according to NBC Sports.

Related