Report: Rubio signs with Regal Barcelona (or does he?)

[nickagneta]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap/

Apparently the buyout and six year deal keeps Ricky Rubio in Europe for at least 2 seasons as there is a reported affordable buyout during 2011 though when in 2011 wasn't available in the report I read.

Wonder if Minnesota knew all this coming in and hence the Johnny Flynn pick. Wonder if the Wolves now trade his assets or whether they hold on until he becomes available. If Rubio continues to blossom, he could become very very valuable as a trade chip. On the other hand Flynn could also become that trade chip if he continues to impress after a very successful Summer League. Either way, two years from now, the T-Wolves should have a helluva PG, whoever they may be.

[Chris]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap/

Apparently the buyout and six year deal keeps Ricky Rubio in Europe for at least 2 seasons as there is a reported affordable buyout during 2011 though when in 2011 wasn't available in the report I read.

Wonder if Minnesota knew all this coming in and hence the Johnny Flynn pick. Wonder if the Wolves now trade his assets or whether they hold on until he becomes available. If Rubio continues to blossom, he could become very very valuable as a trade chip. On the other hand Flynn could also become that trade chip if he continues to impress after a very successful Summer League. Either way, two years from now, the T-Wolves should have a helluva PG, whoever they may be.

Its interesting.  I really wonder what will happen with Rubio's stock over the next two years.  If he is able to stay healthy, continue to improve his game, and put up some big numbers, particularly in the world championships next year, then his value could skyrocket, and the Wolves could be in a hell of a position in two years.

Considering I don't think Rubio was physically ready for the NBA, I think this could end up being a blessing in disguise.

[jgod213]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap/

Apparently the buyout and six year deal keeps Ricky Rubio in Europe for at least 2 seasons as there is a reported affordable buyout during 2011 though when in 2011 wasn't available in the report I read.

Wonder if Minnesota knew all this coming in and hence the Johnny Flynn pick. Wonder if the Wolves now trade his assets or whether they hold on until he becomes available. If Rubio continues to blossom, he could become very very valuable as a trade chip. On the other hand Flynn could also become that trade chip if he continues to impress after a very successful Summer League. Either way, two years from now, the T-Wolves should have a helluva PG, whoever they may be.

Thanks, Nick.

The Rubio saga seems to keep twisting and turning.  I kind of like that Flynn will basically be handed the keys and given a trial by fire in Minny.  If he lives up to the hype he's a franchise point guard, which means (as you mentioned) Minny could flip Rubio, who would still only be 21, for some big talent or draft picks.  I think this is probably the ideal scenario here as the Wolves would have franchise players in Jefferson and Flynn and could then flip their assets to create an immediate contender.

If Flynn struggles in his 2 years at the point, the Wolves would have a worst-case scenario of Rubio coming over with 2 more years of Euro-ball under his belt and more clout in a locker room.  They could just toss him the keys to the car since Flynn had his chance, so no more PG controversy.

Again, as you said, the likely worst case scenario is Minny has to wait 2 years before getting a franchise PG in their backcourt.

[Chris]

Does anyone else think this is actually going to help save Kahn from himself?  He seems to be doing everything he can to prove that he is a worse GM than McHale, but at least now, Rubio won't be taken down with him in the next couple years.  Perhaps this will allow Rubio to come to a team that is actually poised to do something.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Does anyone else think this is actually going to help save Kahn from himself?  He seems to be doing everything he can to prove that he is a worse GM than McHale, but at least now, Rubio won't be taken down with him in the next couple years.  Perhaps this will allow Rubio to come to a team that is actually poised to do something.

I think he has done a fairly good job. No doubt that Rubio not coming is a blessing in disguise. Mainly because it should give 'Sota Rubio when he's more mature, so his contract should run closer to his prime instead of his development years.

But if not mistaken, as a whole Kahn has reduced the payroll by about 4 million+ give or take with the trades he has done. Add to that Rubio not coming, he's saving the Wolves quite a bit of money at the moment wether intentionally or not. He has done this while not sacrificing future financials, since all the contracts he has acquired are expiring... except for Songaila who has a player option next year, and he's a useful player to have.

In all, he has surrounded Big Al and Love with useful big men that will allow them to play their natural positions. Of course, they are quite weak at the wings, but they have some exciting young players in those positions that may benefit from this weakness.

They most probably weren't going anywhere this season anyway, so the reduction in payroll is something of great substance to the team, and it's not something that it's easily done... particularly this year.

[Mon]

So can the Celtics get him somehow?

How long do the Wolves "own" this kid?

[Who]

That's fine, glad it's all come to a conclusion.

Ricky Rubio was an excellent pick by the Wolves.

[Roy Hobbs]

Looks like there may not be a deal after all:

A source close to the Ricky Rubio situation denied a report that the Timberwolves' draft pick is signing with Regal Barcelona.

The Spanish newspaper Marca reported Wednesday that Rubio, the No. 5 selection in the June draft, had landed a six-year deal with the Spanish league powerhouse.

"He has not agreed to any deal," the source said.

While Rubio is believed to be negotiating with multiple European teams, his first choice remains playing in the NBA this season. However, Rubio's buyout with DKV Joventut -- believed to be $4.9 million, only $500,000 of which can be paid by the Timberwolves -- has made negotiations difficult. If Rubio were to pay $4.4 million for his release, he effectively would be playing his first two seasons in the NBA for free. According to sources, Rubio's U.S. representatitve, Dan Fegan, and Joventut have made progress on reducing the buyout, but no deal is close.

Further, there is a belief in NBA circles that Regal Barcelona put out that it had reached a deal with Rubio in an effort to pressure Joventut to agree to a buyout.

Link

[RAcker]

Rubio has studied in the art of Marquis.   

[fairweatherfan]

Looks like there may not be a deal after all:

A source close to the Ricky Rubio situation denied a report that the Timberwolves' draft pick is signing with Regal Barcelona.

The Spanish newspaper Marca reported Wednesday that Rubio, the No. 5 selection in the June draft, had landed a six-year deal with the Spanish league powerhouse.

"He has not agreed to any deal," the source said.

While Rubio is believed to be negotiating with multiple European teams, his first choice remains playing in the NBA this season. However, Rubio's buyout with DKV Joventut -- believed to be $4.9 million, only $500,000 of which can be paid by the Timberwolves -- has made negotiations difficult. If Rubio were to pay $4.4 million for his release, he effectively would be playing his first two seasons in the NBA for free. According to sources, Rubio's U.S. representatitve, Dan Fegan, and Joventut have made progress on reducing the buyout, but no deal is close.

Further, there is a belief in NBA circles that Regal Barcelona put out that it had reached a deal with Rubio in an effort to pressure Joventut to agree to a buyout.

Link

Man, for all the flaws of the NBA, Euroball is a total clusterhug.  None of this crap would fly over here.

I'm fine with it though, cause it gives my boy Jonny Flynn the chance to shine.  He's gonna be a good one, I think.

[ManUp]

Rubio should be banned from the league.

He basically made the T-Wolves pick a waste.

He also took someone elses opportunity to be a Lotto pick.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Rubio should be banned from the league.

He basically made the T-Wolves pick a waste.

He also took someone elses opportunity to be a Lotto pick.

I guess that teams that force players to play overseas should be banned from the league since they're taking away the opportunity of a player to play in the NBA.

If Rubio had been selected where he was projected to be selected, I think Rubio would be in the NBA by now. And as it has been explained quite a bit, the Wolves are actually fortunate not to have Rubio at the moment.

[Chris]

Rubio should be banned from the league.

He basically made the T-Wolves pick a waste.

He also took someone elses opportunity to be a Lotto pick.

The T-Wolves absolutely knew the risk they were taking in making that pick.  In fact, one could even argue that they planned on it, and were hoping to have him develop for a couple years on someone elses dime before coming over (it would certainly help to justify the Flynn pick a bit more).

Rubio would have been playing for less than nothing if he had paid the buyout and come over this year.  This way he gets the buyout paid for him, can make some nice cash, work on his game, and then come over in two years, when the Wolves will hopefully be a better team anyways.

[nickagneta]

How can another team in Europe put out a completely false statement regarding signing the property of another team without there being repercussions for doing it? Can you imagine what the consequences would be for an NBA team like the Knicks coming out with a statement that they have reached a sign and trade agreement with Raymond Sessions that would send Nate Robinson to Milwaukee with none of it being true, just so that they could put more pressure on Milwaukee to consummate the trade?

Astounding that this stuff is allowed over there.

[Roy Hobbs]

How can another team in Europe put out a completely false statement regarding signing the property of another team without there being repercussions for doing it? Can you imagine what the consequences would be for an NBA team like the Knicks coming out with a statement that they have reached a sign and trade agreement with Raymond Sessions that would send Nate Robinson to Milwaukee with none of it being true, just so that they could put more pressure on Milwaukee to consummate the trade?

Astounding that this stuff is allowed over there.

Yeah, it really is crazy.  I have no idea what the Commissioner structure is over there, but it can't be a very strong one.