Report: Rubio could have joined Wolves this season

[Dash]

David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations:

 

"On Saturday night, an agreement was reached between Dan Fegan, the agent for Ricky Rubio, Jordi Villacampa, the president of Joventut Badalona, and myself on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves to buy out the last two years of Ricky´s contract with Joventut so that he could play in the NBA next season.

 

While the term sheet was being finalized Monday night, Ricky informed me that, despite considering us his first option the previous weekend – and, admittedly, after some back and forth throughout the summer -- he preferred to stay at home to play for FC Barcelona, which earlier this summer had made a buyout offer to Joventut. He also reaffirmed that it was his intention to join us in Minnesota two years from now when he will be 20.

 

This morning I met with Ricky and his parents and told them that I understood Ricky´s decision. It was clear to me yesterday and in this morning´s meeting that the pressure surrounding Ricky and his family to remain in Spain for at least two more years had only intensified as the summer wore on and was weighing heavily on them.

 

The NBA is the best basketball league in the world, by far. As an 18-year-old man, Ricky would have been challenged on a nightly basis to a degree he has never experienced. In order for Ricky to meet this challenge fully, I believe it is important that his family and other people important to him were comfortable with the move to the NBA and fully supportive.

 

I also agreed with Ricky´s position that two more years of competition in Spain and the Euroleague will only aid his development and that he will be much more ready for the NBA when he joins us.

 

On the night of the draft, I explained that the decision to draft Ricky was not difficult – that he was 18, the youngest player in the draft, and we were a building team that could wait for him. Nothing has changed. When we received signals from Ricky this summer that he was considering accelerating his path to the NBA and joining us sooner, we threw ourselves into this process willingly and energetically, including meeting with Joventut on four separate occasions.

 

I explained to Ricky this morning that, starting today, I would now focus all my attention on the coming season for the Timberwolves and our current roster. We have begun the process to build a championship-contending team and this coming season will be an exciting one. I wished Ricky well and told him that, while I could not predict the future, I expected to see him in Minnesota soon.

 

I want to thank everybody who worked so hard on this process this summer, including Jonathan Blue and Dan Fegan of BEST and everybody associated with the Timberwolves family."

 

Link

 

In other words, Rubio doesn't want to join Minnesota.

[Real Deal]

That's exactly what I said the day after the draft.

[Poe]

So wait... he joins the NBA draft, but doesn't want to play for an NBA team? Odd.. and kind of selfish, too. He could have really screwed a team over for doing that.

[Real Deal]

Kahn picked Rubio so he could wait for his development, then dish him in 2011 or 2012. It's that simple. Otherwise, there was no reason to select Flynn or Calathes (or Lawson, who they eventually traded).

 

When Rubio (or his father, or agent) stated that he wanted to go to Sacramento or Los Angeles, he wasn't lying.

 

I just found it hard to believe that Rubio couldn't stick a deal with a shoe brand, or anything, to get that $5-6 million for a buyout, especially when he has the potential to make $6-8 million a year after his rookie contract is up.

 

Too bad for Minnesota. Then again, if the Wolves end up dealing him somewhere for a big-name superstar, well, good for them.

[Lone Wolf]

He never said that. He said the Timberwolves are his first option when he joins the NBA. Read: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4437300

 

I'm sick of people's assumptions..

Edited September 2, 2009 by Lone Wolf

[Real Deal]

He never said that. He said the Timberwolves are his first option when he joins the NBA. Read: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4437300

 

I'm sick of people's assumptions.. especially when they're wrong.

I was never wrong in the first place. Rubio was not coming to the NBA, and Kahn knew it. He may have went to try and bring him here, but he knew. And the Wolves have security with Flynn. This isn't something new, either. We saw Orlando draw a player from overseas and never see him in a Magic jersey. We've seen teams draft players knowing they don't want to play for them, and we've seen teams draft players knowing how valuable they will be in a future trade, with absolutely no intentions of keeping them.

 

Minnesota isn't a dumb franchise, regardless of what people will say. Chad Ford will agree that the Wolves picked Rubio to trade him, because quite frankly, he's going to be one of the most valuable "rookies" in two years, and he'll bring a great deal to any team's table at 20-21 years old.

 

It's Minnesota's biggest chance to bring in another proven all-star. Rubio has that potential, but the Wolves probably want to avoid banking on young talent to get them back into the playoffs, although I believe that will be a mistake in the long run (as Rubio can be a franchise point guard).

[Real Deal]

Here, Chad Ford's Twitter...

 

Bill's right. This was NOT the plan in Minn ... no matter how much Kahn spins it. Rubio didn't want to play in Minn ... never did

He and Fegan found a great way for him to make money in Europe, not have to pay his buyout out of his pocket and force a trade down the road

I'm not a Kahn hater but what a mess. His only way to salvage? Be patient, let Ricky become a star & trade him for a star in 2011

The Wolves were hoping he'd want it, that he'd find a way...but Plan B is now in effect, and it involves dealing Ricky when the time is right.

[Lone Wolf]

I was never wrong in the first place. Rubio was not coming to the NBA, and Kahn knew it. He may have went to try and bring him here, but he knew. And the Wolves have security with Flynn. This isn't something new, either. We saw Orlando draw a player from overseas and never see him in a Magic jersey. We've seen teams draft players knowing they don't want to play for them, and we've seen teams draft players knowing how valuable they will be in a future trade, with absolutely no intentions of keeping them.

 

Minnesota isn't a dumb franchise, regardless of what people will say. Chad Ford will agree that the Wolves picked Rubio to trade him, because quite frankly, he's going to be one of the most valuable "rookies" in two years, and he'll bring a great deal to any team's table at 20-21 years old.

 

It's Minnesota's biggest chance to bring in another proven all-star. Rubio has that potential, but the Wolves probably want to avoid banking on young talent to get them back into the playoffs, although I believe that will be a mistake in the long run (as Rubio can be a franchise point guard).

 

 

Chad Ford can say anything he wants. I don't care what he has to say. Sorry.

 

If people want to say that Rubio doesn't want to play in Minnesota, then fine. We'll have to wait 2 years and see if he was telling the truth, himself. That is what makes the NBA so great.. unpredictable things happen.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Lone Wolf

[Real Deal]

You say that you're sure about this and that, but your information is still coming from the media, from ESPN, from Rubio's mouth (which, according to you, has been misinterpreted, misunderstood, or misquoted), and from what Kahn has said.

 

So to be fair, you would know just as much as all of us...which is nothing. And that's why it's safer to assume that Rubio didn't have that enthusiasm to play in Minnesota. The money is there, the chance to play in the league is there, and the chance to become a starting point guard is guaranteed.

 

Rubio entered the 2009 Draft to be drafted high. Here's the thing: logic tells me that Rubio would've declined if his intentions of staying in Spain for two more years were to improve his game, especially when those two extra years gets him past Blake Griffin and John Wall.

 

Rubio would've been a guaranteed first or second pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

 

However, doing this gave Kahn a sense of insecurity, and he chose Flynn in the lottery as well. Didn't make sense at all, not when there are gaping holes everywhere else, UNTIL we found that Rubio will indeed stay overseas for two years.

 

At that point, Rubio comes expendable. The demand for a young star point guard is high in Los Angeles and New York, among other teams. The 2010 FA class is approaching, and Minnesota could try and make big moves, even if they plan on keeping Rubio, just to sway him to want to stay in Minnesota and play alongside Jefferson and an all-star free agent.

 

Yeah...neither side is stupid. Neither side really cares what the other wants, either. Kahn knows what he's worth. Rubio knows what he's worth. Kahn can do whatever he wants with Rubio's rights, while Rubio can stay in Spain for the rest of his career.

 

I'm not convinced that this was all what Kahn makes it out to be, and it's a good thing he didn't tell the story because that would only knock a big chunk of leverage from Minnesota's ability to rake in a free agent this offseason.

 

If I were a betting man, Rubio will come to Minnesota and stay in two years granted they bring in another star player. Otherwise, Rubio demands a trade under the table, or he just walks when his contract is up without taking his player option.

 

Sounds promising, but a Jefferson/Rubio combo will not be enough to win 50 games, and Rubio knows it. All he wants to do is win, doesn't care about the money. If he did, he'd be playing his rookie season in 2009, wouldn't matter the team, because a single endorsement of any kind would easily land Rubio enough money to buy out that contract.

[Lone Wolf]

Ok, so I've been wrong the whole time? Got ya....

Edited September 2, 2009 by Lone Wolf

[Real Deal]

Ok, so I've been wrong the whole time? Got ya....

You've been wrong sometime. At one point, I thought Rubio was going to demand that the Wolves didn't pick him in the draft, but I was wrong. I remember you believed he was going to come to the NBA, also, at one point.

 

The only two people that know what's really going down would be Rubio and Kahn. Therefore, I have no reason to believe that Rubio wants to play for this year's Minnesota squad, probably as much reason as you have to believe he really does.

 

If he did his best to get an endorsement to pay off that contract, you're right. If he didn't, I'm right.

 

I just don't see why he wouldn't be able to get one, being arguably the best player coming out of this season's draft (I say arguably because I think it's Griffin, but that can be debated). LeBron James signed a $90 million deal with Nike when he was drafted (in fact, I believe it was before he was drafted). Rubio can't wrestle for anything in the $7-8 million range? It's extremely hard to believe.

[Lone Wolf]

You've been wrong sometime. At one point, I thought Rubio was going to demand that the Wolves didn't pick him in the draft, but I was wrong. I remember you believed he was going to come to the NBA, also, at one point.

 

The only two people that know what's really going down would be Rubio and Kahn. Therefore, I have no reason to believe that Rubio wants to play for this year's Minnesota squad, probably as much reason as you have to believe he really does.

 

If he did his best to get an endorsement to pay off that contract, you're right. If he didn't, I'm right.

 

I just don't see why he wouldn't be able to get one, being arguably the best player coming out of this season's draft (I say arguably because I think it's Griffin, but that can be debated). LeBron James signed a $90 million deal with Nike when he was drafted (in fact, I believe it was before he was drafted). Rubio can't wrestle for anything in the $7-8 million range? It's extremely hard to believe.

It's really hard to believe these source's and outside media reports due to the past. This year has also proved to be not a good thing to believe in.

 

Did I say that? If so, I'm sure it was more of a hopeful thing, not the truth.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Lone Wolf

[Real Deal]

You gotta believe in somebody, unless you and I are talking to Ricky Rubio over the phone.

 

It would be different if he was in the United States and was speaking English. I believed everything I heard about Odom re-signing, about Ron Artest coming to Los Angeles...but there are too many conflicting reports out there, so my instinct tells me to believe the local, respected source first, and that would be ESPN professionals.

[Lone Wolf]

I was believing in ESPN reports that deal with Kahn speaking.

[Real Deal]

I was believing in ESPN reports that deal with Kahn speaking.

Right. So was I.

 

Rubio stated in that report that he wants to develop more. He said that Minnesota is still his first option.

 

Two things:

 

1) if he wanted to develop more, he would've stayed out of the draft, and that's a given (unless he's an idiot)

2) Minnesota HAS to be his first option, because he doesn't have a choice otherwise, if he intends on coming to the league in two years

 

If Rubio were to just come out right now and say that he wants to play for the Kings or Clippers, and say this AFTER Kahn when through all that trouble to bring him to the league early, there's a big chance that the Wolves could just deal him wherever they see fit.

 

You have every reason to think otherwise because you don't want to bash your team, and as you said earlier, you were hopeful in thinking that Rubio would come this season, which led to you saying he would.

 

Me...I don't care about the Minnesota Timberwolves, just as you shouldn't about any of the other 29 teams.

 

But the truth is, I'm intrigued. I want to see Rubio in the NBA. My gut is telling me that he doesn't want to play for Minnesota, though, and my reasoning sits behind the fact that he shouldn't have entered the draft, the fact that he stated he doesn't care about money, and the fact that he knew he would be able to rake in a bigger and better endorsement if he had gone to a city sitting on the coast.

 

Yeah, the Wolves are better off without McHale. The only reason he traded Garnett to Boston was to comfort his buddy Danny Ainge. At the same time, Kahn has to make sure he doesn't drop the ball on Rubio, because if he doesn't go out and find someone a little better to compliment Al Jefferson and Ricky Rubio (when he arrives), I don't see this turning out to be a fairy tale ending for the franchise.

[Multi-Billionaire]

I think a player who has been paid $100,000 annually would be thrilled to play anywhere for $2-3 million annually.

 

So I believe at this juncture, Rubio's camp still prioritizes money. And if he was to come to the NBA this season, that means, he would likely use the first two years of his NBA salary strictly just for the buyout. After three seasons, he will only have $4 million in his bank while his teammate Jonny Flynn has $10 million.

 

$6 million is a big amount for a $100,000 per year salary player. That's why he is staying overseas and when the term ends, he will go to Minnesota to sign for his rookie contract. And he can sign endorsements then. Therefore, he doesn't lose/ use ANY of his money to cover the buyout himself. There will be no buyout, he will play out his contract. It's also a good reason to say he wants to develop more.

 

---

 

I don't think he will be like that Magic draftee Fran Vazquez who never shows up.

 

But I think you're right, Minnesota drafts him with the mind to keep him... but I think they're also prepared to deal him if situation changes (e.g. Flynn becomes complete stud) or a great deal comes. I don't think they view him as untouchable but they sure are as eager to put him in Wolves uni.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Snake

[Real Deal]

Well, everything I was saying was based on Rubio's declaration that he would play for free (hinting that he doesn't care about the money as much as he does just playing and winning).

 

Money factored in, sure, I see why he stays.

 

However, that still puts a question mark as to why he entered the draft in the first place, knowing he would receive less money as the fifth pick. We all knew the Clippers were taking Blake, that Memphis had Conley and the Thunder had Westbrook, and Sacramento would be that fourth pick who, in the end, were already weary about taking a foreign player with contract issues.

 

Rubio entering the draft gave him a guaranteed spot in the NBA (just in case any injuries were to occur), a guaranteed spot in the lottery (top five at that), 2-3 years to develop outside of it, then come in knowing the face of the franchise and the direction they are going after the 2010 free agent class splits up.

[Multi-Billionaire]

I think he was thinking he would go as high as 2nd... and no lower than 8th (Knicks).

 

It's his own bad getting a rumor saying he would not suit up for Grizzlies. When there's smoke, there's fire. Grizzlies were really looking to draft him initially, and had they done that and if Rubio was willing to play for the Grizzlies, they could see who should be kept between he and Conley. I think they had a pretty good conclusion that he would not be a bust. But changed their mind after he said he wouldn't play there.

 

 

At least he gotta be greateful Minny picked him 5th and gave him more money than flip-flopping him and Flynn

[Universe]

"Going to Minnesota would have just complicated my life a lot. It was a risk and I didn't see it so clearly," Rubio told the Associated Press.

 

I just don't understand entering the draft. Your goal is the NBA but it might complicate your life? Then you state your goal is the NBA and sign a six year deal. I know the buyout plan but still?

 

Lost a lot of respect for him.

[Lone Wolf]

I think it's because his Spanish teammates pressured him to stay in Spain. Also, he said the buyout was pretty much impossible.

[Lone Wolf]

"When the season ended, I entered the draft with the intention of going to the NBA," Rubio said Wednesday. "But some things happened that kept me from being ahead of the rest and I ended up No. 5, which I was happy with, but it didn't allow me the chance to go to the NBA. I tried, but in the end it wasn't to be."

 

NBA guidelines limit the amount of money Minnesota could have contributed to Rubio's buyout at $500,000. Kahn said a package of endorsement deals and sponsorships had helped make the NBA deal attractive enough for Rubio and Joventut to enter into an agreement on Saturday.

 

"They could only put half a million into it, and I think that the deal with Minnesota had too many obstacles," Rubio said.

 

Rubio said he was still committed to going to the NBA, even though there is no guarantee the starting point guard spot will still be around.

 

"I won't lie," Rubio said. "My objective has always been the NBA."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4439216

 

That probably explains why things would be too complicated.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Lone Wolf