Wolves introduce picks this afternoon at Target Center, without Rubio
Posted on June 26th, 2009 – 9:27 AMBy Jerry Zgoda
Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington will be there.
Ricky Rubio is not scheduled to be.
What does it mean?
Not sure yet, but given his reluctant reaction when he was drafted by the Wolves last night…
A Wolves spokesman said there’s “no conspiracy here” and said Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, decided not to have his client come to town because of the uncertainty over Rubio’s unresolved contract buyout with his Spanish team.
He said Rubio is not balking at playing for the Wolves.
David Kahn will address matters this afternoon at 3 p.m.
177 Responses to "Wolves introduce picks this afternoon at Target Center, without Rubio"
Please tell me we’re not going to take it in the shorts on this one.
Having Evans and Harden go that early was a real kick in the junk. Obviously Rubio is exciting, but wouldn’t Flynn + Evans/Harden be a lot less stressful right now?
What?
i was hoping rubio would be there, because today’s weather may alter his perception a little bit, and as well as acclimate him with flynn. THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS. I do think it is awesome to have a player like flynn who is a vocal leader and is enthusiastic to be in minnesota. i think this was a very smart move considering rubio may stay in spain, and we still have a pg, and we played to the strength in this year’s draft, which were guards. and the strength in next year’s draft is big men. so if we get a reliable center next year, almost all pieces of the puzzle will be in place, just preheat the oven and wait till the pie is done!
please ricky. come to minnesota. please!
So, if Rubio elects to stay in Spain, we’re pretty much screwed, then? Can we trade his rights to somebody, at least, or did we just waste the #5 pick? I can’t imagine any GM would be dumb enough to have taken him knowing that risk.
what was wrong with his reaction? saying his mom doesn’t like cole? saying if we give him minutes he’ll play? I think people are reading in to it too much. Plus his agent is a giant d bag.
I can’t begin to describe how dissapointed I will be if Rubio scoffes at coming to Minny. For about two minutes last night, I had all but forgiven the franchise for all of its mistakes and blunders. Now it would seem that we all had the wool pulled over our eyes. Again.
his agent is d bag, same agent that represent Yi a couple years back, hopefully things will work out, hey at least we drafted him
How does he feel that hes above the normal draft procedures? Come to Minnesota and be introduced and see how nice of a place it is here. He is letting endorsements and other people in his ear destroy his opinion of Minnesota. Come on Ricky! Come to MN!
Keep in mind that he’s 18 years old and indecisive. I just read a piece on ESPN about Blair and Holiday falling and how “once they get over the initial sting” they will realize they are better off for where they ended up.
The same will happen for Rubio. This is just Fegan positioning his client.
What time is the presser?
Personally, I think the draft position (#5 instead of higher) and the presence of Flynn is more an issue to Rubio than geography. Without a higher paycheck, it is less enticing to leave spain and pay that buyout.
THE TORTOISE OR THE HARE?
Who won? I can’t believe everyone is angry about this draft. Anyone who has followed the team to any extent has heard the claim by Kahn that this is a “16 month” building process that should produce SOME fruit in 2010-11.
Anyone who has expectations that the Wolves would compete for anything more than a top 3 pick in next years draft should continue their daily routine of scouring the internet to see what Brett Favre is currently eating rather than post nonsense on things you know nothing about.
I’m fine with the players the Wolves got but couldn’t they have swapped spots with the Knicks and still got Flynn? Couldn’t they have gotten the same players while adding another piece or two and saving money along the way?
Rubio not being here today is not the end of the world per se. However, there is an obvious PR aspect to this too. It’s a noticeable absence, and Kahn has taken care to manage appearances so far.
It would be a very good idea to get Rubio in front of the local media soon, even if he doesn’t physically come here yet.
I have a hard time believing that Kahn would draft Rubio without talking to him about how excited he would be to play for MN. I’m sure rubio is just a little upset he didn’t get drafted higher (because the contract situation gets more sticky), but I don’t think his actions are because of anything to do with the franchise…I think the “cold” line is being overhyped and read into too much
I know the T-Wolves can only chip in $500,000 on the buyout, but is it within NBA rules to partner with someone like Target to fund his buyout.
Think about it. Target would get some PR from him at the Target Center (think increased highlights on ESPN and hopefully more national TV games down the road) and he’s got that young, Euro-Cool image that Target loves. Could they make an agreement for him to be a spokesperson or model if he agrees to play here and in return they fund his contract buyout?
LOL + LMAO + ROTFL @ the t-wolfs! Yer team cannot catch a break.
Guys, we’re talking about an 18 years old guy that is been going through the most decisive moment of his short life. Give him a break, things will settle down…
He wants to play in the NBA. He will. He wants to play big minutes. He sure will. Plus, he will have the chance to be the face of this franchise. We will be OK!
Rubio will be traded, no doubt about it. Kahn is holding out for a ransom.
Johnny Flynn, our PG of the present and future. I have no problem with that.
He’ll play in Spain this year and the Wolves will trade his draft rights straight up for a Top 3 pick in next year’s draft when they can get a big guy
bgman: I was wondering something along those lines, too. That is, would the Knicks have been better for him at 8 because of better sponsor money? Maybe if his agent can line up enough outside money, he’ll still come this year.
sounds like they’re getting good offers on trades for Rubiorights
Fegan has met his match in KAAAAAAAHHHNN!
I have to say, it’ll be disappointing if Rubio never plays for us (depending on what we get in return), but Flynn seems like a very easy guy to root for.
Ugh, I hate suspense and I hate waiting. I need to find a new sport to follow where there’s no suspense, like bowling or something.
Talent Talent Talent….thats it.
Hole this, fill this need, reach for it? Nope. At this level of of success we need talent. Thats what transpired last night.
One step taken. More to come.
Time to pay real dues to get better.
A real Coach next please……
Would you guys do a Rubio for Oden trade? I’d ask the Blazers to throw in Batum too. That would leave the Wolves starting 5 as
Flynn
Batum
Brewer/Gomes
Jefferson
Oden
jama - It’s intriguing but I just have the fear of us getting Pritch-slapped again. I like Oden next to Jeff and it definitely makes Love expendable but his knees would give me nightmares. What other teams do you think are making offers at this point? Probably the Knicks, possibly the Suns.
This has Steve Francis written all over it. He was taken by the Vancouver Grizzlies with a high pick a few years ago and said he would never play for the team… he never did. His cancerous attitude forced that team to make a move even though it wanted him.
Rubio not coming today is just the start of this going bad… just like it did with Francis and Vancouver. He made it clear he has NO interest in playing with the Wolves. His agents comments about not coming today because of the buyout is just a smoke screen for saying… He’s not going to play for you MN!!
Even if Rubio stays in Spain for the next 2 years, he’ll be 20 when he comes over. He’s still super young. Patience, y’all.
I can’t envision who a trading partner would be.
If he is trying to get to a big market:
Knicks - No. (No assets for us.)
Nets - No. (Devin Harris in place)
LA Lakers - No (Unless maybe Bynum, but no reason to think they are interested. Plus Bynum = injury prone.)
LA Clippers - No. (No assets for us except Gordon which isn’t enough.)
Chicago - No. (Derrick Rose in place)
Boston - No (They are trying to move Rondo, but adding an 18-year old to an aging team doesn’t make sense.)
Miami - Maybe Beasley, but no reason to think they are interested.
My mommy wont let me play. Hace muy frio en Minnesota. my mommy wants me to live with her forever. Too cold.
LOL, Bob!
I have to say, I do love that McHale’s picture at the top of the Wolves page was replaced by Ricky’s!
Now let’s just hope it stays there for awhile. I do think we’re all overreacting — if we hadn’t taken Flynn at 6, would everyone be so worried about Rubio coming? I sorta doubt it.
rubio and trash to clips for gordon, kaman and thornton
lothe more I think about it, the more I love the picks…..
at worst…..they are average together, and we have a backup point gaurd who will provide solid minutes off the bench….(actually worst is rubio listening to that p.o.s. agent of his….man I hate that guy….the scott boras of the nba…..i.e. the devil)
now onto free agency/trade time……solidify the wing position….
FYI Kfan caller rubes…
Ellington 6 5.25 in kicks. Same as Evans.
Jerry,
Have you talked to Fegan, or tried to get to him? I’d love to hear from him without the filter of the club, which is obviously going to spin things. As will Fegan, but I’d like to hear both sides of the spin…
I don’t think anything will happen for a long time. At a minimum, I think Kahn will wait to see how his buyout plays out, and even if he goes back to Spain, he probably won’t be dealt until next year’s draft when other teams are analyzing their PG situation and we actually know the position of their 1st round picks.
clips are dumb
they might do anything to pair rubio and griffin
that’s the only possible trade I see
so much freaking out going on…you guys all knew what could happen if the wolves were going to move up in the draft and get Rubio, well he fell to us and the wolves got him and now we have to deal with what is in front of us…he has a contract issue…there’s a chance he doesn’t want to be in Minnesota…these are things we knew…relax would you!!
I think the Nets could still be a possibility, if the Wolves decide to or are forced into a Rubio deal. The team is possibly for sale, and clearly in cutting salary mode. You could go Rubio and filler (Cardinal and Madsen or Smith or Telfair) for Devin Harris and Terrance Williams.
we’ll have to get a couple of our other southern born pro stars here to take Ricky in and treat him like family, someone get in touch w/ A Peterson and Percy Harvin and some of his teammates, Brewer, Jefferson…that’ll help put his mind at ease.
Wouldn’t Miller and Foye and an extra 8 million in cap space next be better than a whiny PG that doesn’t want to play for us especially since he would have to pay to play and with us drafting Flynn. Note what we need now is Shooters and to get rid of a PG and several PFs. What would we have without the trade, more shooters, 1 less PG and several less PFs. What did we gain?
I would only do a deal with Nets if they included Lopez. Harris and Lopez. Harris is 26, not too old.
Rubio alone isn’t worth Devin Harris and you expect the Nets to throw in a first rounder (Williams)?
Do they have paella in Minnesota?
What do people think of Ellington? I really like the pick and think he will stretch d’s; he and Flynn in the backcourt seems to be an upgrade over Telfair/Foye or Foye/Miller or Telfair/Miller…
Relax, at least we have the Rubio highlight vids to watch…
Reeves in 1 word NO. Miller wanted out after this year anyway. And Foye plain didn’t fit in.
This is SO frustrating being a Minnesota fan. If we lose out on getting Ricky Rubio, that makes it two years in a row that we were not able to land the best player at our point in the draft because he did not want to play here (Mayo). Couple that with the fact that we could never land a big-time free agent if our lives depended on it, and we are completely screwed as a franchise. I can’t even begin to explain how frustrated I am by this…
Justin I liked the Ellington pick as well. Good value that late. Hoiberg said they had interest in him at 18 and glad he fell to 28.
TF21 — The Nets were reportedly willing to make that deal yesterday — Harris and #11 for #5. If that was true yesterday, it still might be true today, or something along those lines.
I’m still smarting over the Wolves’ decision to pick three, count ‘em three, point guards. You would think they would have gone with a center or something.
I meant in the first round. Sorry for any confusion I might have caused.
Gordon, Kaman and Thornton? What an idiotic move that would be.
Target could give Rubio an endorsement deal that he could use to buy out the contract. Can’t you just see Rubio wearing a Santa hat in the studio with fake snow flakes blowing around him and a catchy pop song that some Target Freelancer picked out playing in the background?
Rubio said before the draft that his team preference was all about getting minutes. He said the same thing in interview after the draft. As cold and desolate as Minneapolis is, I don’t think that’s going to facotr into it. The question is, isn’t it to the Wolves benefit if he stays in Europe for 2 more years. We get a more mature 20 year old player, we still control him for 4-5 years whenver he comes over, and then him and Flynn aren’t up for Free Agency on the same year. He’s only 18 years old, he’s probably going to come here, what’s not to like.
If I was Ellington I would ecstatic right now. I would be a late round draft pick going to a team with dominant low post scorers and no competition for playing time as the SG especially since Rubio is not coming this year at least. I also would be the main shooter on the team so I would have a green light to jack up shots. This would be McCants dream. No one to send in if mistakes are made, brilliant.
They picked two point guards. Lawson was prearranged to go to Denver. Ellington is a 2.
Will Dingus announce today that he will be showing the Rubio highlight vids during intermission at your Wolves games?
McFly — Well, it will certainly be an impovement over the Ndudi Ebi highlight during the McHale era…
All good points Centrist.
Foo - regarding the blog handles. . .
I know what Foo means, BTW. I’m thinking of taking your advice and coming up with a better handle. Do you have any suggestions? I was thinking Facial, but that might not be obscure enough.
Thanks.
Rubio will be a unbelievable game changing, Chris Paul like player….for another team. He won’t play a second for the wolves, that’s just how things like this go for the wolves. 2nd worst luck in the NBA behind Clippers.
Does anyone else have a problem with where the Wolves drafted Flynn?
Wouldn’t the Knicks have traded up to the #6 spot to get Curry leaving the Warriors to take Hill and the Wolves still would have gotten Flynn at #8 plus anoter piece or two?
That’s really the only complaint I have about the draft. Well that and the fact that they gave Calathes away. That trade doesn’t make any sense to me.
Rubio said during an interview I heard on the radio coverage of the draft last night that because he’s used to living with his family in Spain, he’d bring his father with him to Minnesota…and if they find a good school…his younger sister and mother would come too. Doesn’t sound like a kid who’s opposed to coming here.
Is there any way to front load the contract to cover the buyout. Pay him whatever it takes, money should not be an issue. Max Max Max! This whole thing sounds shady, why would a stupid NBA rule prevent him from playing over a couple mil. This is going to be a nightmare. If we lose him, I’m going to puke.
jama,
Did the Knicks braintrust like Curry a lot, too, or was it just the fans who were there last night? Would they have given us anything to move up?
Sean, ehem, McHale was the problem, ‘member? Dingus is in charge, right?
I think Rubio wouldn’t have had any issue if the Wolves hadn’t picked Flynn at 6. Problem is with how the draft had fallen there wasn’t a great fit to pair with Rubio at 6 so they took the guy they liked the most in Flynn. If the Wolves like Johnson as much as it sounds like they did, maybe they should have tried to move down acquired more assets and grabbed him in the teens.
I would take Gordon straight up for Rubio (I assume we would also get our Jaric pick back), and then also unload some of our bigs for something else from them.
I like Flynn a lot, and I think Rubio will be really good as well. I just have a feeling this Rubio deal is going to get awfully messy and we are going to get the short end of the stick.
Gordon showed a lot of promise and combined with Flynn = really solid backcourt, especially with Ellington and Brewer coming off the bench. If we could swing Thornton as well (no way), that would be a no-brainer to me.
Relax, Dingus has it all under control. Have faith peoples…
Who cares if Miller would have left after the year I think a player that can play who has a large expiring contract could get something better than a guy who’s cheif assets are duplicated by Telfair who is both stronger and faster. What was wrong with Foye? He was a player that just had his best season where he averaged over 16 pts and 4 assist while mainly playing a new position, also I remember him coming up with more clutch defensive plays than anyone else on the team even though he did have the problem of being horrible 1 out of 3 games but average or great the other games. He did break down at the end of the year but that was to be expected since he had never been the guy or play that many games/mins before. It was obvious that Wittman stunted Foye since Foye played better before and after Wittman was the coach. I think a Flynn Foye backcourt would be way better than a Rubio Flynn backcourt if that even ever happens.
the buyout came from his team in Spain. they set it at 6Mil US$ or whatever it ends up being but the NBA has a buyout policy of only 500K$ which I’m sure you know already but it’s up to Rubio and his agent to work a deal w/ his home club not the TWolves
jama: yeah, they probably didn’t get max value out of #6, but I’m not sure the Knicks had anything overwhelming to offer. I wonder if Kahn was worried that GS would take Flynn? Given that the pick is probably being moved to PHX, it’s not impossible. I still wonder what other trade offers Kahn had for #6.
Rubio is now damaged goods. Bargin basement in any trade. All northern cities have cold weather that momma no like.
Guys, Rubio admitted in an interview last night, and you can look it up, he has played together with another PG on the floor quite a bit in Europe. In fact, that strategy isn’t all that unusual over there. Jennings sometimes played off the ball for Roma as well. Drafting another PG high I don’t think is going to be as big of an issue for Rubio as it is for this board. Whether that strategy can work in the NBA is another question. But if Flynn and Rubio are both hits, you have 2 players in a 3 guard rotation set. Ideally with these two points you want long athletic wings who can run in transition, shoot, and defend.
Ellington could be ideal if he can learn how to defend, his athletic numbers were amazing, he was a better shooter than Curry last year, his weakness was that he can’t create his own shot, that shouldn’t be a problem on the current Wolves squad. Ellington ran the fast break with Lawson all last year, talk about an ideal situation for him to transition to.
If Brewer can develop his outside shot, which is a requirement for him to remain in the NBA under any circumstance, he would seem to be an ideal compliment to Rubio, Flynn as well with his length, athleticism, ability to run, and defensive capabilities.
Love’s outlet passing, and high post game fit well. The only thing that doesn’t seem to fit forward with this team building strategy is unfortunately our black hole in the middle Big Al.
Ricky: come to MN and try my paella…they’re both keepers (local saying, but you’ll catch on quick).
People seem to be ripping the Wolves for passing on Curry at 6 bur I think he would be a terrible fit with Rubio given they are both built like twigs at this point. Flynn atleast brings athleticism and strength.
Who will be more dynamic, an NBA All Star first? Curry, Flynn, or Ellington?
Here’s the alternate theory (from my co-worker, i can’t take credit):
A. Deal worked with Memphis ahead of time — but can’t be announced until AFTER June 28th due to 1 year trade-back clause for Love.
B. To Memphis: Love, Rubio, Cardinal
C. To Wolves: Thabeet, Q. Richardson
You heard it here first!!!
I liked Brandon Jennings better. I also would have kept OJ Mayo. Both are Kobe Bryant-esque.
If Rubio (or his agent) is refusing to come to MN and the team is forced to trade him, the league needs to step in and settle the issue fairly. Maybe a compensatory pick (equal to where a player was drafted) the following year. As for the lack of endorsements - BS. There’s this thing called the internet that easily transfers ideas, images, and *GASP* advertisements throughout the world. Rubio has the chance to be the FACE OF THE FRANCHISE - Minny loves their teenage #5 picks.
From MSNBC–
I think this has to end in a trade, probably a three-way, involving the clippers.
They get Rubio, some other team gets Baron Davis (someone making a playoff run), we get Gordon and/or Thornton and/or someone from third team
Rubio is not likely to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Clippers, as they’ve already said that Griffin is their guy. But in reality, the Clippers would love to get their hands on Rubio and could make a trade to acquire him. Baron Davis is currently running the show in L.A., but his name has popped up in many trade rumors this summer, and the Clips would not have any qualms moving him if they got Rubio. But as of now, expect the Clips to take and keep Griffin.
only the last paragraph is from MSNBC
MNRun Left:
I agree. Flynn’s 40″ vertical, his speed and agility, all superior to Curry.
Standing Reach:
Flynn – 7’11.5″
Curry – 8’1″
No Step Vert Reach
Flynn – 10’8.5″”
Curry – 10’6.5″
Max Vertical Reach
Flynn – 11’3.5″”
Curry – 11’0.5″
Is it possible that Flynn plays bigger than Curry. I agree with Kahn in that Flynn plays like a player 6′3 or 6′4. I don’t just think it’s possible its probable.
I am afraid we will not see Rubio in a Wolves uniform. Instead of listening to what the Wolves are saying, look at Rubio’s cool reaction to being drafted by the Wolves last night.
jama it sounds like that #7 that ended up as Curry is going to Phoenix in the Amare Stoudamire (sp) trade. I am guessing Phoenix was making that pick and they wanted a point guard eventually to succeed Nash. I think GS/Phoenix would have snapped up Flynn if NY moved up to 6 leaving us with some lame options at 8. Kahn said all along Flynn was his guy so good to stick to the guns.
I hate all the people who have never posted on this board and are most likely not strong Wolves fans coming onto this board just to say Rubio will never come here. What the heck do they know, they haven’t been plugged into the process at all, and are jumping on the national media bandwagon that Ricky just couldn’t possibly be happy here.
Centrist I have been a regular here, and I think Rubio is going to be traded by the signals Kahn and Hoiberg are giving out. I hope I am wrong, but thats my opinion. BTW I liked Flynn over Curry as well.
It seems to me what is making Rubio upset is the fact that he got drafted 5th. If he needs a ton of money to pay his buyout he really was hoping for 3 or 4. Falling to 5 loses him over 3 million dollars over the life of the contract.
I really believe that his dream is just to play in the NBA and get minutes. If the wolves had traded up to 2-3 to get him I’m guessing we wouldn’t be having these problems.
PO stands for two things, first I am pissed off that Kahn blindly selected Rubio having no idea wheather or not he would even want to play for the Wolves. Just look at the different reactions between Rubio and Flynn from last night. Rubio had the Aaron Rodgers look on his face when he got drafted, while Flynn looked like he just won the lottery he could not have been more excited to be joining a horrible team. Why not draft players who actually might play for your team and help to improve it??
Second meaning for PO is potential and as the ESPN crew from last night so rightly put it, potential gets you fired in the NBA. Kahn I hope your renting because if you keep making bone headed decisions like the Rubio pick you’ll be back in the developmental league trying to figure out how to bankrupt another franchise!!
Dingus has come to an agreement. The Wolves will have exclusive rights to all Rubio highlight vids for the next two years and will then trade those rights for another NBA player or draft pick.
Also, if Rubio pulled a trade me tantrum I see Kahn being a nuff of an SOB to just say no and force him to choose Minnesota or Spain.
I mean look how he ripped into Vitale last night.
PO how do you know Kahn didnt select Rubio just to trade him? That’s what I think he did and I hope he gets a fat return on him.
tuna can, jerry already addressed that no trade back clause: it doesn’t apply because the Grizz never signed Love
Tuna Can: Since Love did not sign with Memphis, he can be traded at any time. No reason to wait til June 28.
Forge:
Wasn’t referencing you, definitely recognize your moniker.
Mark:
I agree, this is all about the Money, reports were that if he was picked #4, his rookie salary would exactly cover his buyout with the picking team contributing $500K. At #5 it becomes trickier because he would have to pay to play in Minnesota year 1. That’s a tough decision no matter who the team is.
PO –
There’s a difference between Rubio and Flynn because most people said Rubio wouldn’t slip based the third pick. Flynn was projected at 10. One guy is pissed off because he lost out on 3-4 million dollars and another guy is pumped that he just earned another 3-4 million dollars.
Hi, first of all sorry if i make many mistakes writting in English. I am a basketball fan from spain and i will tell you guys what is the problem, ricky has a contract and to brake that contract has to pay 6 million dollars, he only got in the last 2-3 years 70000 dolars per year, so it is impossible for him to affort that quantity of money to come to minnesota. He was hoping to be on the top 3 so his contract would be better, he would get more money and could affort to pay that quantity (in a couple of years) so he would be playing for “free” only a couple of years. but being the fifth pick its nearly impossible for him.
greetings from spain
I think we’re letting our inferiority complex take control. Rubio has constantly said the what he wants most is minutes. He basically said no thank you to memphis with the second pick because he was worried that he wouldn’t get any playing time.
If arbitration works out for his contract I’m fairly optimistic that Rubio plays for the wolves next year.
i dont care how good rubio is he is a whiney biotch and needs to stay in spain with mommy and daddy. if he’s too special for minnesota than he can suck a spanish …….. what a douchenozzel. And he talks in the third person….peace out d-bag.
Once he fell to #5, he was screwed. I think he goes back to Spain for financial reasons, and that is A-OK. Think about it, he can improve overseas without us having to pay him, and in a year or two, either Flynn hasn’t worked out and we need Ricky, or Flynn has cemented himself and we have a PG asset that could possibly be leveraged into a top 3 pick or a star player. Oddly, signing him and having him play with us now might be the least beneficial outcome.
The Spanish Fly flees…?
Does Rubio already have a shoe deal in Europe or some kind of sponsorship? I feel like he could make that $6 mill pretty quick with endorsements if he commits to coming over, even though MN is the best market the Twin Cities isn’t a small market.
If Rubio thinks Minneapolis to be unlikeable, just imagine what that craptank Memphis will do to his psyche.
Forge, the only way this ends well is with Kahn trading Rubio, period. This has all the makings of a PR disaster, which the Wolves can ill afford. I honestly think that Kahn wanted Rubio because he thought he would sell tickets with his style of play. However when Rubio fell out of the top three his buy out became an issue and I honestly think Kahn did not take the time to seriously consider Rubio’s signability outside of being a top three pick, which tells me it was an emotional decision that was not very well thought out, perhaps a product of the five minute time limit between picks in the draft and very little contact with Rubio in terms of working him out or sitting him down for an interview.
I hate to be negative but I have a really bad feeling that this is going to get really ugly. One of Kahn’s main responsibilities is to market the team in a fashion that will generate fan and media interest and sell tickets. This move will completely fack fire on Kahn and the Wolves.
Someone tell Ricky that Lebron plays in a city called “The Mistake by the Lake” and manages to pay his bills.
Javier:
Thanks for the note. It is unfortunate for Ricky that the money may not be enough for him to come over immediately, but if he stays in Spain for 2 years, and comes back in 2011, he will get #5 Pick money based on the 2011 rookie salary scale and then may not have to pay the buyout. Can’t blame the Wolves that he didn’t get picked 2-4, but you can thank them that they didn’t allow him to slip further and make it even more financially difficult.
Great point Mike. KG sure didnt do too bad here did he?
If all Rubio wants is minutes and he didn’t want to go to Memphis with the second pick because he was worried that he wouldn’t get any playing time… what is he thinking with Jonny Flynn picked right after him??
Rubio for Eric Gordan and DeAndre Jordan would be good. gives you a yound SG and C which we need. I didnt want Rubio dont want Rubio. With Kahn we are just perpetuating the cycle. Welcome Kevin Mchale II. If we would have hired the guys from Spurs or Blazers, we would have had Rubio at 18 or not at all. New york is to cold. We just got DISSastered. You dont take a foreinger high. One they dont have to come here they can get more money overseas. Two Andrei Branigni and Dellinori. The euors in late first second round have done better.
javier–
hola! but doesn’t rubio only make like 100,000 euros or something right now? with endorsements in the U.S. playing in the NBA (endorsements both in U.S. and Spain) he would make much more than that even with 5th place contract.
he’s basically playing for ‘free’ right now
he just had a bad contract with juventus…better start facing up to that
I’ve been a big fan of Flynn since his two years at syracuse, and frankly am much more excited about him than about rubio. He seems enthusiastic about this team, very positive about being here, and even welcomed playing with ricky. And his skills are undeniable. Talent-wise the two are pretty close, with probably a slight edge to Ricky, but personality-wise, Flynn is more appealing hands down. He seems to bring the positive, eager attitude that the current Wolves gained from McHale. Rubio is definitely the more sexy pick, however I would be more than happy to have Flynn, not Rubio, running this team for the next decade
The sky has not fallen yet. Lots of rumor and speculation.
As stated before, Kahn hasn’t run from questions and should be up for stage-managing this. A Rubio conf. call with local reporters could settle things down while the buyout is looked at.
This would be a good idea, given the level of angst from the casual fans who more than anything should be drawn in by Rubio, not pushed away. And you know the loser DJ’s on KFAN (w/ apologies for the name-calling) are going to eat up any opportunity to blow this up to fill time.
Why is this franchise constantly snakebit (or is it snakebitten)? 13 times in the lottery and we never moved up - the odds of that happening are almost astronimical. The Joe Smith fiasco (our own doing), now this possible snafu. Did the Wolves also give something away in the Herschel Walker trade, too? Plain old bad luck compounded many times over by poor decisions. I’m willing to give this a chance, considering Kahn’s pedigree and qualifications and can only hope that he put in his proper due dilligence, but it’s painful to watch.
Interesting discussion about Rubio’s buyout clause in Sports Illustrated at
http://tinyurl.com/qsderc. Last year he earned 70,000 Euros, this year the club unilaterally raised it to 210,000 EUROS in an transparent attempt to justify the monstrous buyout clause in his contract - $6.6 million US now or $8 million after June 30. The owner of the Spanish club signed this contract with Rubio’s parents when he was only 15 and clearly took advantage of him.
I had a nightmare last night that we drafted a 5″11″ shooting guard and when I woke up it was still true. Even if they didn’t want Curry they could have swaped picks with NY and probably gotten their #1 pick next year. Then with the #8 they should have drafted Demar Derozan to dunk those Rubio passes.
hola! well he will come back to spain and they will have to meet, him and the club, because the club should help him in his way out,but they aren’t.Everyone here wants to see him playing in NBA because he is pure talent,but minnesota is not going to pay his wayout and probably Juventud (his actual team) is not going to give him many paying facilities and he needs to pay a big quantity before he starts to play for the timberwolves.
hope he will enjoy your team cause he is awesome.
Rubio has a 6 million dollar buyout from what I have read. I dont think he is playing for free.
I feel like rubio could get enough endorsement money to pay off the contract
I hope this Rubio thing will work itself out. BTW, I am watching SportsCenter, and they just said Indy had a bad draft because they needed a PG and took a backup PF. So do you guys think we could get Granger IF Rubio will not play here? I pray that Flynn can perform at this level!
you are right jplamp
that is what i wanted to explain hehehe
that buyout money doesn’t go to him..it not goes to the Spanish IRS because his club is bankrupt
the club assigned the buyout to the spanish govt for unpaid taxes
His agent needs to be talking to sponsors right now, call up Nike and Adidas and get him a shoe deal already, thats going to cover the baulk if not all of his buyout. The kid can be marketed, especially with his style of play and flair. Plus since he’s an international player you’ve got worldwide marketing oppertunities.
Matt
I believe Rubio had a conference call with local media last night after he was selected. Does he need to do that again?
i don’t think rubio minds playing for ‘free’ or close to it
but fegan minds getting only 15% of nothing
you gotta understand how agents tick
players–career
agents–$$$$ in my pocket now
Just a note from last night’s draft, did anybody notice Van Gundy’s reaction to the Wolves draft and roster?? There is no way on earth he would ever consider coaching the Wolves as he stated anybody who agrees to coach that team will be out of a job in a year. I also found it ironic that Mark Jackson was sitting right next to him, perhaps he was taking notes. The only two people crazy enough to take the job may be Lambier and Mitchell, and neither would be able to mentor our young point guards.
What in the world were the Wolves thinking? David Kahn is heading in the area that will make Kevin McHale a genius compared to himself. You have a guy in Stephen Curry that would have made sense to draft, and now the first pick we got might not even play? If he was going to play for the Wolves, don’t you think he would have showed up for a press conference? Looks like the draft will be Flynn and Ellington. Not bad when you had 4 choices. At least we will get another chance next year with Denver’s pick, but remember, it will be with David Kahn at the Helm.
PO — Good. JVG is highly overrated. Adelman has done a lot more with the Rockets than he did.
Isn’t a Flynn / Ellington backcourt possibly a significant upgrade over Foye / Miller? I was disappointed last year that Miller didn’t want to shoot anymore, Although he was a decent rebounder, and I was no longer a Foye fan, and the Roy Foye comparisons were too much to be saddled with. I hope Rubio comes here, but it sounds like he is saddled with some significant $ issues. He was the best player available. Hope he ends up playing here, or we get a some good value in a trade.
jama, did he? I read all the articles in the Trib and press this morning and didn’t see any quotes.
What I would like to see the Wolves do is find a trade partner who needs a PG (preferrably Flynn, with Rubio finding a solution to the buyout issue and putting his mom’s “too cold” comment behind him). In return they get a starting quality SG who’s still fairly young. I like Ellington, but I don’t care for him as a starter immediately, and the only prospect I see for the Wolves at SG otherwise is to resign Carney, or find a quality FA(doesn’t seem likely).
I’m going to have to look at some rosters and see if there are any teams that fit that scenario….
How about Flynn to Portland for Rudy Fernandez (plus filler on each side as necessary)?
From my statement above about trade with Memphis, starting lineup becomes:
Flynn (PG)
Q. Richardson (SG)
Thabeet (C)
Jefferson (PF)
Brewer/? (F)
Makes sense for multiple reasons:
- Not taking Curry when shooter needed
- Drafting 2 PGs didn’t make sense
- Memphis needs PG
- Wolves need center
- Possibly explains lukewarm response by Rubio also
PO–
It was hilarious watching Jackson talking about the draft because he would never mention anything puzzling about our choices. Kahn seems like a dude who wouldn’t want to hire a guy who was just bad-mouthing the team.
Jackson wants the job so the worst thing he said was “I wonder what they have up their sleeve” when they took Ty Lawson.
Tuna Can,
We aren’t giving up Kevin Love and Rubio for Thabeet and Richardson. That would be a terrible deal. Plus Memphis isn’t going to do it because Rubio said essentially “I don’t want to play for your team.”
Perhaps we can trade Ricky to Washington for Randy Foye and Mike Miller.
And any trade with the Clippers must include them giving back that 1st rounders we’ve owed for years in the Marko Jaric fiasco.
But if Rubio can force a trade, may as well just move the team or fold. We can’t attract established stars so if they cave to the whims of an 18-year old European the Wolves will always be the team that no one takes serious and will just be a stop-over for future stars and a place to earn a paycheck for average players.
I’d rather they let Rubio go back to Spain and never play in the NBA than accomodate him in a trade, even if it means getting nothing in return for Foye and Miller.
Look what a setback it was for this team when Marbury sulked his way out of town. The Wolves went from a team with two future all-stars to years of mediocrity (minus one year in the conference finals) until the entire KG era was over and they basically became an expansion team again.
Dan Fegan needs a Jerry McGuire moment…
I think people who want or expect Wayne Ellington to play significant minutes at the 2 are delusional. In a normal year, he’s a mid second-rounder. More likely is that the Wolves use one of expirings at PF to bring in some short-term help.
On days like this I hate that I was born in MN. We always get crapped on. The list is endless.
Tuna- The Wolves drafted a shooter at 28 in Ellington, QRich does nothing for this team, and giving up Love and Rubio is to much for Thabeet and Kahn knows that.
Sean - I think somebody else mentioned that Portland idea last night on one of the blogs I was scanning. Bring in another spaniard to try to make Ricky feel at home.
If Utah can build a team by getting these young players to live in Salt Lake City, the T-Wolves can’t use our location and weather as an excuse. Get him signed and on the court. If not let him sit until he decides he wants to play.
This may surprise many of you, but I am not enamored with Mr. Kahn. Still, this was a brilliant draft for the Wolves provided Rubio plays this year or next. And it will not be the first time two PGs are on the floor at the same time. When teams “go small” (which happens quite often in the NBA) they invariably have two PGs on the floor. Moreover, there is such a thing as a guard rotation. And, what a change of pace. Rubio and Flynn are two different style PGs. Flynn will slash to the rim and throw it down your throat. Great courage, grit, and leadership. Rubio is a floor general, pacing the game, putting teammates in position to excel. Dingus and the Wolves will be fortunate to have these two PGs on the same team.
PO - That’s a terrible trade for the Wolves. They’re giving up way too much to get a 7′3″ project who can’t put the ball in the basket.
There’s nothing wrong with letting RR go back to Spain for 2 years. I think he’s got the best chance of anyone in this draft to be an All-Star. Trading him away would be the worst choice the Wolves could make right now.
Matt
Maybe it was a national video conference, but I got the impression that it was local.
oops, that comment should have been addressed to Tuna Can…
Rubio, stay in Spain you dirty Spaniard!
If Rubio goes back to Spain it will only be for one year. The only way I see him saying okay to returning is if they drastically cut his buyout for one more year of playing for them. The only concern I would have with him going back to Spain is injury.
I mentioned that yesterday. The Blazers have wanted to trade Rudy Fernandez for a while now, if we could get him that would be huge. The only problem is that Portland won’t be sending him to a division rival for cheap. On ESPN Rubio said he is looking forward to playing Portland because his friend is on that team.
WoW, I hope Rubio doesnt punk out. If he does I will hate the dude forever…. Thank God we have Flynn. Kahn does have a plan and he’s not going to shed it all to couple fair weather fans…
Value if not anything else… on the Rubio tip. He’s a punk for not coming.
jama, I am not sure. It might be just the fact that English is a second language for him, but all of the comments I have seen appear too general to be for a local audience. It’s almost beside the point, as it wasn’t known that he would skip the trip to town yesterday.
Part of the argument to dump McHale amongst the regulars here was to let the franchise move on, fresh start, etc. I would argue that not letting Rubio become a distraction in a negative way should be considered in the same way. You don’t want it to be a dark cloud hanging over the team. Putting him on live with local reporters to explain why he’s not coming to town with Flynn and Ellington would be an easy way to help.
If Rubio’s father negotiated what appears to be an awful contract. Ricky and his agent should tell him to stay out.
i’m telling you, fegan is trying to work something through the clips…
from the oklahoma paper
“(Dan) Fegan wants him in L.A., and if he can’t have him there, he wants him in Sacramento. Definitely not Oklahoma City.”
The report didn’t go on to give a reason why Fegan, Rubio’s Los-Angeles based agent, wouldn’t want his client in either city.
Man, a lot of worry and whining on here today!
Long story short, none of us have a clue what’s going on, so we can either buy into the national media-fueled fire (since it makes a good story) or assume that Kahn has at least something of a clue and wouldn’t have botched this as big time as people think. I chose the latter.
Rubio’s a kid, from a foreign country, with a huge and troubling buyout (made moreso by dropping to five) hanging over his head. We can hang on his every word or wait for things to play out… this “too cold” thing was an off the cuff remark, and his dad’s just running his mouth, as he’s done before.
Ok, we’ve been burned in the past, but enough with all this “it’s a mistake” and “he’s never coming here” stuff. Unless there’s anything real to base it on, let’s wait and see. At least give it ’til the press Kahn-ference this afternoon. (ooh, I like that term, “Kahnference”)
Fegan’s a jerk, but it’s not like his holding out on behalf of his clients necessarily works out that well. Look at the Yi situation that everyone uses as an example — how’d that one play out for New Jersey? How’s Chairman Yi doing these days? I’d have to think that Fegan shenanigans have a bit less of an edge given that last deal he brokered.
The issue with Rubio’s the buyout, not the locale. Give him PT and a good opportunity and he’ll be fine. The concern for him is how he’s going to be able to pay off the contract since he dropped to fifth, pure and simple. The rest of this is just our Minnesotan inferiority complex, exacerbated by years of being toyed with by McHale.
Kilrathi - I hope Jerry and the other MN basketball media member pick up on “Kahnference” 
OK, so my quick and superficial look at NBA rosters resulted in (insert drumroll):
Nothing really. Portland’s Fernandez makes sense for several reasons, but what/who else would have to be included to make a trade based on Flynn for Fernandez work and seem fair for both teams?
The only other feasible idea (though not very, and I don’t really like it) might be Fransico Garcia from SAC. He’s from the Dominican Republic and speaks fluent spanish, he’s 26 yrs, 6′7″, comparable (a little better) stats to Fernandez.
I know SAC now has Evans and Udrih at point, but don’t you think they would love Flynn and Evans as much as anyone. I’d suggest Flynn FOR Evans, but I’d guess the price would be too high.
Please, nobody rip my head off for this post. I’m just trying to put out interesting discussion ’cause I’m bored.
I can’t believe how many idiots are on this board. What were the wolves supposed to do? Harden and Evans were both gone. Were they just supposed to pass up on Rubio’s draft rights? Whether he plays for Minnesota or not, he was too valuable to pass up on. He’ll either play for us, or we’ll more probably trade his rights for somthing in return. Get over it. We did just fine. Relax, and quit hating on Kahn already.
Wow.
Can’t beleive the criticism being leveled at the Wolves. Rubio is an asset. Not coming here doesn’t lower his value, it will only increase as he gains age experience and skill. Worst that can happen is he doesn’t come over for several years in which case we get a #5 back - in the meantime his mug is helping build the Wolves brand and visibility. We can cash in his value at any time it becomes high enough we can’t pass it up. This scenario came about because Kahn did his homework, knew the options and made the best choice given the situation - he wasn’t the one who took Harden and Evans. He just focused on accumulating assets in his building plan. Taking another point so we were not at risk.
At the risk of being too friendly toward management let me point out what I think is the big story here. Having watched Kahn with some skepticism since he came here (and especially the juxtapositon with a new Wild GM) the nimble manuevers - and results! - McFail gone gracefully, Love’s tweet praised, and Rubio’s leverage negated by Flynn’s presence, 2nd best 2 in the draft headed to Mpls with more to come - my conclusion is that this guy is probably the best GM to hit the Minnesota since Jim Finks recruited Bud Grant and built the Vikings of the 70’s. Only rival would be the McPhail (emphasis on the Ph) who worked for Pohlad. Players come and go but GM’s can have much larger and longer impacts than players - think Mike Lynne and Herschel Walker or Billy Smith’s budding career. So I’m pretty pumped to see we have an architect who can actually create a plan to build a team. Just my opinion.
BTW did you hear Flynn’s description Minnesota being the equivalent of Hawaii (to him) compared to Syracuse and Niagra Falls? He’s gonna own this town - . Rubio better get his butt over here before he’s left in the dust.
So is the Spanish IRS going to pay Rubio to play in Spain if they now own his contract? I don’t think so. I see an arbitration resolution on the horizon. . .
For those who think we shouldnt be saying there is nothing to base the point that Rubio isnt coming to MN. Check out what Flynn said at his Draft presser on ESPN. The guy is stoked about coming to MN he knows he is going to be the man. He admitted he didnt see MN play but loves the fact he gets to play with Love and Al. Rubio says too cold not sure what I want to stay in Spain or not. Thats what I wont from my future PG. I like the Marbury comparison about Rubio if does come 3 years and done. Flynn might be blowing smoke up are butts but I would rather here that than Rubio. Rubio might be playing for free in Spain but he sure acts like a spoiled rich kid. I thought Flynn pick was a mistake until I watched his comment on ESPN.
I am all for Rubio to Clips. It would make sense for Kahn as well because it would wipe out Mchales mistake on the Jaric deal. I would assume he would get that pick back from them and get Gordon. Flynn and Gordon would be a great backcourt.
Fegan made a big mistake in limiting Rubio’s options and consequently his salary.
Rubio’s options are now to play another year in Spain for peanuts and add another year to when he can obtain the BIG contract or start playing at the 5th pick level and start to work off the buy out. Assuming the Twolves do not lose his rights next year, they would probably prefer that he choose the former option. He will probably be better off if he were to choose he latter.
So, does Fegan really have much leverage here?
Hey Tuna, that Memphis deal is completely idiotic. And get your facts straight, there is no 1 year trade back clause for Love. It only is in effect if he had signed with Memphis, which he never did. He was only drafted by them, and his rights were traded.
Rubio isn’t coming here, folks. He’s going back to Spain. Fegan hates Kahn and doesn’t want him getting his hands on Rubio. Who can blame him…Kahn’s a snake.
If I was Kahn I would tell the ten temas inquiring about Rubio to present them with an offer. Kahn, Hoiberg and Stack review each offer, counter and find the best fit for this team. I am as die hard of a Wolves fans as it comes, but two things are glaring here.
1) Rubio doesn’t care where he plays, his parnets who will be here with him, they are the ones that have to deal with the cold everyday. 41 games of the season he’ll be gone. I love Minnesota, I moved back here from AZ for the way of life(clean, schools, family) and job oppurtunites. Neither of those twop options mean anything to his family.
2) How does his skills and our team mix? He is run-n-gun type point and we are a half court team. It doesn’t make sense to me. I like what I hear from Flynn.
Rubio is a punk. why would we draft him. he doesnt wanna be here in minne, he wants to be somewhere warm. I think he even told minne that he didnt wanna be here, just somewhere warm. he’s just another european *ussy
Why didn’t the Wolves draft Curry? Does Kahn know how good of starting five the Twolves could have been if they would have just taken Curry and Flynn? Sure they might never live down passing up on Rubio if he did become the next Pistol Pete, but at least we know we will have two of the best point guards in this draft class. Curry, as good of point guard as he is, can shoot better than any shooting guard in the league except a few allstars. Starting five for the next 3 three when they’re mature if they kept all their draft picks and took curry instead of rubio
PG - Flynn
SG - Curry
SF - Gomes
PF - Love
C - Jefferson
AND!! have Lawson, Ellington, and Calathes come off the bench if they actually left him here. And all of those guys…? weren’t on the roster two years ago. They’re so young and inexperienced. Curry could be like Minnesota’s version of Rashard Lewis, and we all know how effective he was for the Magic. My point is that the Wolves take chances that are stupid. They need to raise ticket prices with big names and WINS. not guarantees that might not even be guarantees in two years. Lets say Rubio rips up his knee next year in spain? we wasted the fifth pick on nothing. And he doesnt even want to be here.
Curry would have brought the ticket prices above five bucks to maybe seven. Rubio in Spain for the next two year will probably only lower Kahn’s respect from others. It’s bad, very bad. we should have gotten curry
[…] On the Wolves » Blog Archive » Wolves introduce picks this … […]
Marques Bee says:
June 26th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
“Curry could be like Minnesota’s version of Rashard Lewis,”
Ummm yeah… Curry is at max 6′3″.. he isnt the Rashard Lewis mold…
Everyone is over reacting. From the quotes I have heard from Rubio and not “sources” The only problem is being drafted at 5 means less money which hurts his buyout which he has to pay out of his pocket. Its just the buyout, once that is settled, he will be here, and he will be great.
The two point guard picks make no sense; first, Rubio decides to play for Minnesota right away and get handed the starting job even if Flynn out play him in practice or games, how would that make Flynn feels and how will Rubio feel about himself? If he comes and he just as productive as Flynn, why should he gets the starting position and Flynn come off the bench; would that make Flynn unhappy? Third, the only person more visibly upset than Rubio last night was Curry and Thabet. Fourth, Why wouldn’t Minnesot consider a package of David Lee or Nate Robinson coupled with Either Hill or Chandler, A future First Round Pick or someone else obtain in a three-way trade? Fifth, What if Rubio decides he don’t want to play in Minnesota (and there is a strongly hint of this), Would Minnesota hold the kid Hostage? What good would this do, if someone don’t want to do something, they are not going to pay $6 million to do it. Six, there is a number of combination that the Wolves could have gone with that would have made them contenders for the playoffs even if they play in the better league (West) including:
Hill/Curry
Curry/Flynn
Flynn/Hill
Williams/Curry
Rozan/Flynn
Rozan/Curry
you get the picture; while you all are busy praising your GM, remember this, he is a knuckle-head with bravado to spare but he is still a knuckle-head nonetheless.
Wolves are now saying that they knew he wouldn’t play here next year. How does that make sense? This is a total spin job. So they trade Foye and Miller to get someone who wants to stay in Spain? C’mon, people, something’s up with that. Everyone likes the transparency of Kahn, but this is anything but. It’s spin, spin, spin.
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