ESPN.com is reporting that Ricky Rubio’s father “was quoted in the Spanish newspaper Marca saying it was probable Rubio would not come to the NBA this year.”
According to the Web site, “Translated, he said: ‘He might go now or he might remain [in Europe] one more year … or even two. It’s all open, although the most likely scenario is that he stays in Europe more time. We have to talk with the folks in Minnesota… and see what happens, because, at this point, we can go to Minnesota or otherwise.’ “
Otherwise could be forcing a trade to the Knicks, which was rumored soon after Rubio was taken by the Timberwolves with the fifth pick in last night’s NBA Draft.
It should be noted that Timberwolves president David Kahn was Pacers assistant GM under current Knicks president Donnie Walsh in Indiana. The T’wolves followed the Rubio pick by taking another point guard, Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, with the sixth pick. Minnesota later drafted North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson (whom they traded to Denver) and Lawson’s teammate, guard Wayne Ellington.
“I want to play in the NBA. I don’t know if it’s this year or next year, but we’re going to see,” Rubio said, according to The Associated Press. “Because, you know, my buyout is big. We are talking about that with my agent and he’s working hard.”
The Timberwolves are in the early stages of a rebuilding plan coming off a 24-58 season and haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.
“If any team in this league can afford to wait a year, dare I say two, it’s us,” Kahn said. “It’s us.”
The AP reports that Rubio’s fall to the Timberwolves at No. 5 may have cost Minnesota a chance to have Rubio in uniform next season: Rubio has a $6.6 million buyout of his contract with his Spanish professional team, and DKV Joventut Badalona will not let him out of it.
Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, is working on the hurdle. But the Timberwolves can only give Rubio $500,000 toward that buyout, and he is on the hook for the rest himself.
By falling from the second pick to the fifth, Rubio lost about $3 million over the life of his rookie contract, much of which may have to go to Joventut.
Timberwolves president David Kahn said Fegan told him “it’d be more problematic if he wasn’t taken in the first three picks. We just have a lot of talking to do, and it’ll be an interesting ride.”
Just as interesting will be to see how Rubio — if he does arrive — plays with Flynn from Syracuse in a backcourt full of point guards. Kahn envisions a super-quick, run-and-gun style that takes advantage of the NBA’s recent crackdown on contact on the perimeter.
“I feel that great players like playing with other great players, and I think these two kids can really develop into a special unit,” Kahn said.
With AP
