Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Rubio stays in Spain

Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn gave it his best shot. Kahn has traveled to Spain three times within the last two months to workout a deal with DKV Joventut in order to get Ricky Rubio, the #5 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, to come to America and play in the NBA. A tentative deal is reportedly to have been reached by all those involved: Rubio, Kahn, Joventut. Instead, Rubio will have a two year deal with Regal Barcelona. Kahn cites that Rubio backed out on the deal. The major snag and most likely reason: money...and lots of it.

The NBA allows a team a $500,000 provision regarding buyouts. Rubio's buyout from Joventut was estimated at $8 million. Rubio would then be liable for the remaining $7.5 million . One thing Kahn impressed upon Rubio would be the possibility of making that money back via endorsement deals. Regal Barcelona steeped up and delivered Kahn a knockout punch: a million tax-free Euros off the top with a buyout of 3.7 million Euros going to Joventut. Those numbers, in U.S. dollars, are $1.5 million with $5.28 million for the buyout. Rubio also has an NBA escape clause where he can leave for the U.S. at the end of the 2011 season. Not a difficult decision for Rubio to make. Or was it? Read on.

Here is an excerpt from a statement realeased by DKV Joventut, Rubio's former club.:

Yesterday, after a big effort from the two parties, DKV Joventut and Minnesota Timberwolves reached an agreement which permited to terminate the contractual relationship between the player and the Club and his integration in the NBA team.

In front of this situation and in contradiction with what he has been saying to us and to Timberwolves´ representatives from time to time, the player has announced the decision that he wants to be transferred to FC Barcelona.

From a very beginning, never at our own initiative, we have been receptive and we have negotiated with maximum respect and clarity with everybody, accepting that the player wants to leave and that we should find the best suitable solution.

The best solution for Joventut was to get the money per Rubio's contract. A good call on their part due mainly to the fact that Rubio will no longer be drawing spectators. The money they gain from the buyout may help recover the higher number of empty seats the club will most likely see.

As long as Rubio is under contract, the T-Wolves retain his rights. What's next for the T-Wolves? Three options apply:

1. Wait until 2011. Let Rubio develop in the Spanish League as well as gaining tougher competition in the Euroleague. His shooting needs work (28%) as well as his ball handling. His turnover to assist ratio is about 1:1. Stats can lie but not when it comes to being an NBA point guard.
2. Keep pursuing a potential buyout from Barcelona. It's not out of the question if negotiated properly. Rubio may need only one year to bring his game to a level where the T-Wolves are comfortable. This option is the least likely to happen but if the money is right, anything is possible.
3. Trade Rubio's rights. Many NBA teams were looking for young point guards. With Rubio already committed to playing in Spain for two years, there will be no immediate return on your pick. The NBA possesses a handful of veteran organizations are secure with their point guard situation and can afford to wait the two years. Minnesota stands to possibly gain a veteran player that can have an impact if they choose this option. I like this one. Minnesota would wash their hands of the situation.

A talented, young nucleus is forming in Minnesota with Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, #6 overall pick Jonny Flynn, and #28 overall pick Wayne Ellington. New head coach Kurt Rambis does have a foundation in place, but this team is a couple of years away, at least. By adding a veteran presence, they may be in an even better position.

But you have to respect Kahn on two levels. He admitted that selecting Rubio was very difficult. After all, Rubio is only 18 years old. Kahn knew of the "reach" he was making even though he has personally been at the wrong end of many a joke. The other point is the tenacity Kahn displayed in his pursuit of Rubio.

Didn't a similar story happen in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago? Team pursues a player it desperately wants? I thought so. Unfortuantely, not the same outcome.

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