Rubio Receives Overseas Offers

[The Goods]

A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season.

 

Meanwhile, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him."

 

Tim Shea, the former Knicks European scout who is a consultant for Rubio's agency, Winners Factory, said he expects a formal offer from a Turkish club tomorrow. The offer would be about $1 million, with another $2 million going toward a $6 million buyout for his Spanish team, DKV Joventut. Real Madrid also is in talks with Joventut, according to Shea. An NBA team is allowed to pay just $500,000, with the rest coming out of Rubio's future earnings.

 

Agent Dan Fegan represents Rubio's interests only in the NBA and a source said has made no headway in buyout negotiations, forcing him to file a lawsuit in Spain. The Turkish offer would be a distinct pay raise for Rubio, who made $180,000 last season.

 

Shea said if the Timberwolves traded Rubio to the Knicks, it could sway Rubio into playing in the NBA next season. Shea said the Knicks are the preference of Rubio's parents. But Shea highly doubts Kahn will trade Rubio despite Walsh's inquiry and others.

 

"I think he understands he has a gold nugget," Shea said. "The price of gold is always going up. He's only 18, so Rubio's stock will go up next year. He drafted so many point guards because of this. He's in the driver's seat. He doesn't have to trade him to the first suitors. (In an online letter to Minnesota fans, Kahn said he's willing to wait one or two years on Rubio, who could use seasoning).

 

As for Rubio's interest in the Knicks, Shea said, "In a meeting back in February, I suggested to the parents New York would be the best place because they have a European style coach in Mike D'Antoni and they agree. The mother loves the idea. She said there's a direct flight to Barcelona and talked about the shopping and living there."

 

Walsh said Friday he will try to pry Rubio from Minnesota. Kahn is a Walsh friend, and they formerly worked together in Indiana.

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06282009/sports/knicks/rubio_receives_overseas_offers_176502.htm