Heeeeeerrrre’s Jonny….
Posted on June 26th, 2009 – 6:54 PMBy Jerry Zgoda
David Kahn introduced Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington at Target Center this afternoon, a day most notable for who was not there than who was.
Ricky Rubio was not present and Kahn spent the opening segment of the news conference and a good amount of time afterward saying he will not pressure Rubio, who must reached agreement on a hefty buyout with his Spanish team and who appears none too keen on playing in Minnesota, and is willing to wait a year, even two for the 18-year-old point guard to come to the NBA.
“We want to be supportive and helpful because I do believe the contractual issue is a little thorny,” Kahn said. “If it means we have to wait a year, we wait a year. If we had to wait, God forbid, two years, he’d be 20 when he got here. That’s pretty young. The last thing we need to do is become overwrought today. The way I look at it, this was a gift. I didn’t see any plausible scenario this would occur.”
Other things:
* Kahn said he’s prepared for a “turbulent” summer regarding Rubio but said he is convinced everything will work out in the long run.
* He said he received calls from three NBA executives Friday inquiring about Rubio’s availability and didn’t rule out trading anybody said some day, but said he had no intention of doing that now. Knicks boss Donnie Walsh, Kahn’s mentor, said in a New York news conference that he will call Kahn about Rubio.
* Rubio is unlikely to play for the Wolves Vegas Summer League, which gathers July 9 for practices and games. Flynn and Ellington both are expected to participate.
* Kahn likely will begin interviewing coaching candidates next week and he said he’ll conduct it in a most private manner. He expects it to take most of July. He said Friday he still did not have a list, and invited me to search his pockets to find one. Still, Mark Jackson looks like far and away the favorite.
* Rubio remarked Thursday night how Minnesota is “too cold.” Flynn, who played at Syracuse and is from Niagara Falls, NY, isn’t shivering in fear of Minnesota winters.
“I like to say wintertime here is like Hawaii compared to Niagara Falls,” Flynn said. “Maybe I can give Wayne some winter fashion tips on how to dress.”
* Ellington when asked if he was surprised to hear his name called out to the Timberwolves with the 28th pick and if he had expected him to take a fourth point guard with their fourth and final first round pick: “There weren’t many point guards left on the board.”
Here’s a “Wolves Insider” I wrote for Saturday’s paper with my theory on Kahn’s thinking with the dueling point guards picks:
153 Responses to "Heeeeeerrrre’s Jonny…."
Flynn is awesome. I really doubt he and Rubio work out as a backcourt, for the same reason I don’t think Jefferson and Love will work as a frontcourt, but I just love the kid as a person and player.
And I noticed that too yesterday night Jerry. Flynn seemed, against all “odds”, almost giddy to be playing here. And he’s certainly doing his part to help the cause in getting Rubio to play here too.
The more you think about it, the more the Flynn pick makes sense. Rubio’s big leverage is that he can return to Spain and not play this year, or the next. But with Flynn (and obviously Kahn isn’t going to say anything like this)…but with Flynn, we have the option of saying “who cares?” We can afford to let Rubio stay in Span a lot more than Ricky can afford not to sign in the NBA, because there’s always the option of letting Flynn be a solo act.
I love Flynn. He’s the kind of guy that can change the culture of a team.
Anyway Jerry, Knicks fans are absolutely convinced that they’re getting Rubio for Jordan Hill and Nate Robinson. About as worthless a trade for us as I can imagine.
I think Knicks fans are jumping the gun and overestimating their resources. In the ESPN interview, it sounded like Walsh wanted to talk to Kahn out of curiosity more than anything. He wasn’t saying like, “I want to see if it’s an option” or “I’d like to get a deal done”. He kept saying “I just want to know what’s going on”.
But the rumor is out there. So let us know how that phone call goes.
I’m already getting a little sick of reading about Rubio’s whining. Can you imagine an entire summer of annoying Rubio speculation? Constant articles about his buyout process, quotes from his parents about the cold, all that crap? It would kind of bother me.
The thing is, at this point, I’m not sure I even would rather have Rubio than Flynn. Watch some Jonny Flynn YouTube highlights. He’s electric.
Let’s just say I won’t be all that bummed if we trade Rubio to some team willing to overpay for him, get a bunch of pieces to our puzzle, and make Flynn the point guard and leader of our future.
But if they keep both, I’d love to see a Wolves add campaign featuring the two of them. I bet you could make some funny commercials out of Flynn taking Rubio out on the town and getting him acclimated to life in the U.S.
I wouldn’t either. I love Rubio, I hope a buyout gets done and he plays for us. But at the same time, if a great deal comes along for him, then like Kahn said, we have to at least consider that.
But the Knicks’ rumor is absolutely a horrible return. Kill that noise.
The positive side of this is it keeps us in the spotlight all summer. Between this and what I expect to be a busy trade/free agency season, we’re going to have a good slice of the national media’s attention.
I dont know what it was, but watching that conference made me feel that SOME DAY, we WILL see Rubio in a Wolves uni! Lol, Kahn must has a calm, reassuring voice. I like that guy! Flynn seemed like a great guy, hopefully I can say he is a great guy, and a great PLAYER, but I have my doubts…
better do a spellcheck jerry next time.
Sam - Where have you seen Rubio whining? I certainly haven’ t seen that anywhere. All I’ve seen is him commenting matter of factly about his contract situation.
Jerry - where is this Rubio “whining” stuff coming from? The “too cold” comment? That was just a BS stream of consciousness word association game.
Rubio wants to play in the NBA as long as he gets good minutes. He will be the starting PG in Minnesota and that’s all that matters.
That’s what a good manager and a good leader does. When people have questions or are second guessing him, he gets up and assures everyone it’ll be all right.
We’ll see if Kahn can make good on it. But given what he’s done so far and what we’ve learned about him and the way he runs a basketball team, I feel confident in saying that, no matter what happens with Rubio, Kahn will get us something good out of it.
Very good post facial
The “too cold” comment came from an interview Rubio did before the draft. If you watch the video of it on TrueHoop, you’ll see he said it as a joke. Complete throwaway line.
It’s his mom that’s serious about thinking it’s too cold here. Like I said before, his parents and Dan Fegan seem to care more about where he plays than Ricky does himself. All Ricky wants is minutes and the chance to cash in big with his second contract to pay off what he’ll lose in the buyout.
I know people have talked about possibly trading Rubio. What’s the market for Flynn?
Rubio has zero leverage.
His Spanish team is bankrupt and is dying for his buyout to survive. The last thing they want is for him to return. They can’t pay him his meager 100k euros. Which leads to the next point: Rubio and his agent need him to start his NBA clock this year. Why? Because he gets out of his rookie contract sooner and because those who are lined up to sponsor Rubio can’t do it while he is toiling in obscurity in Spain.
Rubio will be on the team this year and, for those who are concerned about defense in the backcourt need to know that his last measurement put him at 6′5″. This guy is going to end up being 6′7″ and 230 by the time he’s 21. He’s coming into prime growth and maturity time and will be able to guard NBA twos in two-three years.
This guy has a chance to a seminal player like Magic Johnson and he will play for Minnesota.
When you strip things down to their basics it’s all about the money and Minnesota controls that. Both in terms of his NBA life and getting out of his Euro league life. He can’t afford to give up another year of playing in Spain.
Change panties and just wait for the game to play out.
Not as good I don’t think. He came on late as a top prospect…wasn’t really talked about until that 6 OT game against UConn, and wasn’t really hyped up until the combine. Rubio’s been on the NBA radar for 3 years now, and quite honestly, if both fill out their potential, Rubio will be significantly better.
KAAAAAAHN! Stick to your guns!
I like how the national media is spinning this with there east coast bias acting like we are screwing New York over. We are going to be dealing with this nonsense about draftees forcing themselves to big markets every year unless you set a precedent like Milwaukee did (even though they trade Yi later). SMALL MARKETS STICK TOGETHER. No more manipulation of the system that was designed to help teams that need help. At least force NY to sign LJ for big bucks so it eats there cap before Rubio’s rookie deal is done, then we can really screw them over with luxury penalties and doom their team…..
people are saying they are sick of Rubio whining… but when have we heard from him? The few quotes I have read from rubio last night and today, he seems excited at the possibility of him and Flynn in the same back court, and MN isnt the problem. The problem is being picked 5 means less money, and he has 6 million dollars to pay. I think once that buyout is finished he will be here, and no where else.
Good points Sanders.
Let me add that Rubio is a two time defensive player of the year in Spain, and Flynn was arguably the best defensive point guard in the Big East, maybe in all of college ball last year.
That, I bet, is what ultimately swayed Kahn to pick Flynn instead of Curry. If you’re going to try to make an undersized backcourt work, you better make sure those players are two hell of a defenders.
Jerry Z.
One thing that, if you haven’t done so already, to add to your “Ask Kahn” list…
how did Fred H. et al. perform? When will he evaluate his front office? Was there chemistry with the holdovers?
It’s probably too early with the coaching search but I’d be interested to know how his inherited FO performed. And if any of them will make the cut. I bet that the fact he let Hoiberg go on KFAN by himself today bodes well for Freddy.
Well dam, it sure would be nice to get more reporting on this. Maybe the questions and answers that took place. I mean I’m in AZ and I wasn’t able to view this, it would have been nice to view a video, the conference took place a while ago now. Guess I’ll check the web, or T’Wolves home site for it. All I got to view was a video of Kiana Marie dancing for a little bit, although that was nice to enjoy, I would have liked to see something on the Wolves and new pups speaking(Not the animal). Hope this team pan’s out. Is it possible we can get at least 30 wins this season? I don’t know, hopefully? It’s possible, but lets hope Al’s knee surgery recovery is just fine, he’s the man. The beginning of Hope for T’Wolves 09 -Motto. All rights reserved.
Does anyone know whose on the summer league team?
I love Flynn. In terms of leadership, he’s by far the best player in the draft. Don’t think anyone comes close. That’s one thing we’ve been missing. That strong personality.
As for Rubio, you’d think some time soon it will occur to him that his agent created this whole mess. They got all cute and coy with their workouts and he dropped to five. A good agent would have found a way to work out for the right team and sell his strengths. Nice job Fegan. Cost your client a lot of dough.
Kahn should be in no rush to do anything.
BTW, good post Satch.
I rule. Bryan blows.
Well you know, if Rubio didn’t go work out for Sac town, we probably would be sitting here with Tyreke instead, possibly still getting Flynn to go with that Rodman and that’s without him ever working out at all. He probably would have been even higher of a pick(all this hype about him).
Satch - I bet Philo (the Euro scout) stays on. He’s the one who’s seen Rubio play the most.
BTW, got the audio of some of the press conference on the NBA T’Wolves site.
Summer league roster won’t be finalized until like, the week before it starts. If even that. Last year we added Pops Mensah-Bonsu halfway through.
Flynn and Ellington will be on it. Love too most likely, and probably Corey Brewer. After that, who knows?
I’m most interested in Freddy H’s future. He seems to me like he could get along with Attila the Hun and, given his skills vs. his NBA career, he clearly has a very strong work ethic.
I hope it works out that Fred earned his keep in Kahn’s eyes. Why? Because, and I mean this sincerely, if Kahn is moderately successful here he is going to be a strong candidate to replace Stern. I honestly believe that was why Stern pushed him on Glen so hard.
Fred needed to learn how a ruthless, hard working GM operates…all he had was Kevin McHales laissez-faire management example.
If Fred can earn Kahn’s respect we won’t have to go far if/when Kahn moves to the league office.
As far as Babcock, Stack et al. I won’t shed a tear if Kahn chooses to populate his FO with some new blood there.
That spanish paper is saying there is already a deal in the works for Lee, Robinson and others. The only trade I would want to do is:
Lee, Gallinari, Robinson and the Knicks would trade Hill for somebody we wanted and then give us that person.
We would trade Rubio and some of our bad contracts to NY
Jonny is going to light a fire under some rear ends on the Wolves team. The kid is flat out nasty.
That Spanish paper has been discredited already, I believe.
If Kahn made that trade he would instantly lose all of the good faith that he’s earned with us fans who actually know what’s going on.
I don’t know who I would trade anymore, I think Flynn could be a Garnett type and stay here for a while, I don’t know about Rubio.
My trade would be to get NY to give Indiana Hill and some others for Granger then give us Granger and Gallinari and next years 1st for Rubio and some of our recently acquired bad contracts
Then play:
1. Flynn/Telfair
2. Ellington
3. Brewer/Gomes
4. Love/Smith
5. Jefferson/Thomas
If Kahn makes a trade and absolutely gets great value I have no problem with that. I have faith that Kahn will play his cards right.
I forgot to put Granger in the above new lineup
1. Flynn/Telfair
2. Ellington/Brewer
3. Granger/Gomes
4. Love/Smith
5. Jefferson/Thomas
I’ve been on the Flynn bandwagon for the Wolves for a long time. I have to admit that before we took them both, I didn’t even consider a Flynn/Rubio backcourt, but I have been converted to a believer.
How can Kahn make the (excellent) case that he has made for playing Rubio and Flynn in the same backcourt and then trade Rubio for Lee and Robinson? That’s not going to happen. At least without drastic consequences.
The league would go under if that trade happened due to the appearance of corruption (Kahn/Walsh/Stern connections).
If one was wont to trade Rubio his value will be highest, assuming he didn’t sign and play in MN this season, next year at the draft. Given the thinner crop of projected point guards next year you could leverage his rights for a much bigger package than what the NYK’s could offer today.
It ain’t happening. Rubio will be here and playing this year. Eastern Sports Promotion Network and their miserable shills will just have to wait to pull their “LeBron to New York” trumpeting for Rubio until his rookie contract year comes up.
There is absolutely no reason to trade Rubio this year unless Kahn is offered Dwight Howard or Kobe Bryant or anyone of that ilk. No reason to do it now. Whatsoever.
If the Spanish paper you’re talking about is Marca, then no, don’t take it seriously. They’re the Euro version of hoopshype, and anytime a Spanish player in the NBA doesn’t get playing time, they start labeling people racists.
McMillan is a racist for not playing Sergio Rodriguez.
The all star judges are racist because Fernandez didn’t win the dunk contest.
etc.
The Knicks fans are way jumping the proverbial gun. Kahn today said it would have been harmful to the team for him to take another power forward because they already have Al and Kevin, so there’s no way he’s trading for Jordan Hill or paying David Lee a ton of money. And Nate Robinson? Please…they think wishfully in NYC.
we’re not trading Rubio to NY for anything. They don’t have jack squat to offer. Rubio will play for the wolves sooner or later. His mom doesn’t like the cold? ah spain has winters as well, they’re not exactly in the tropics. She can stay in europe for the season, not like Ricky will have a lot of free time anyways plus he’ll be gone half the time anways on road trips.
I think both Rubio and his teammate we drafted both come over next year when his buyout is significantly less than it is this year.
What if they traded for Danny Granger and then traded him to us with others and took some of our bad contracts
That’s what I thought, Jerry, but I wanted to make sure. Since Kahn is so willing to flat out say what’s up, might as well hear it from him.
I think all those years of Isiah Thomas the Season Tanker Engine has destroyed New York’s common basketball sense.
I highly highly doubt the Pacers trade Granger. He is their franchise player and the guy Larry Bird is building around.
Maybe they want Rubio straigt up to go with their other corner stone TH, jk, that was too early for Hanbrough
The Pacers will not be trading Danny Granger for anything less than a huge package. We aren’t getting him.
The Knicks have no pieces that I would be interested in. They would have to be real creative and include at least one other team to come up with some players worth trading Rubio for.
Or Love and Rubio for Granger and Hibbert or something but I just don’t know about Rubio, and I wish he would just come out and say he will whatever he has to do to play here, he hasn’t said that yet to my knowledge, at least Flynn is excited and ready to get to work with Love and Jefferson. He makes me excited not Rubio
Kahn is in this for the long haul and is looking really big picture, or at least until his three-year contract is up.
Who are some other teams besides NY that might want Rubio and have something that tickles Kahn the right way?
Check out the new True Hoop blog. My posting the link is being blocked by moderation. He’s reading our thoughts.
If we have to wait 2 years from Rubio and then it takes him 2 more years to adjust, now were looking at 4 straight years of rebuilding 
The Wolves don’t really have any bad contracts that they have to get rid of. The worst contract they have is Songolia and he’s only got 2 years left for a total of around $9 million.
I wouldn’t mind dumping Songalia’s and Cardinals/Madsen in a deal if we got somebody more usefull than Cardinal and Madsen for same length of contract
Somewhat unrelated, but I talked to some Wizards fans, and they said not to expect much from either Songaila or Thomas.
I agree with Satch, no way would we trade Rubio this year, there is no reason to. Next year his value would be much higher, not to mention, everyone is talking about NY.. Why would we trade Rubio for a bunch of guys who’s contracts expire next year? We are trying to get young players to mold, not vets to give us a worse draft pick next year then leave… that would be stupid on our part, sorry but no way would we EVER trade rubio to NY this year.
I thought Kahn pretty much summed up his decisions on Barreiro’s show this afternoon in a live interview. At the end of the interview he asked what the worst outcome of the choices yesterday and to retain Love/Jefferson was. I wish I could quote it (it’s probably on a podcast) but essentially says that the worst thing that will happen is the Rubio and JF and Love/Jeff can’t play together. And then they’ll have to trade a really good player for more really good players. How bad is that?
I think that people need to stop reading what the east coast media (the same ones who had Childress down in Mississippi visiting Favre) and start to take Kahn at his word until he doesn’t do as he says.
I think he’s absolutely committed to Rubio playing here with Flynn and Love and Jefferson here….until he decides they can’t.
Does anyone else think we need to resign Ollie to mentor Flynn and Ellington (possibly Rubio if he comes) He would be a good mentor and the only other guard besides Telfair and do we really want Telfair mentoring these guys. Maybe dump Brown or keep Brown and sign Ollie as an assistant
I was just thinking that. I actually posted that on the Wolves’ Facebook page yesterday, how we need to get a good veteran mentor in to help these guys along.
It’s what we did with KG and Marbury, bringing in Sam Mitchell and Terry Porter. Too bad Porter’s contract situation got all screwed up like that. Maybe Steph wouldn’t have gone off the deep end if we had been able to retain Porter…
Yeah we could have Flynn, Ellington, Telfair and Ollie as our guards this year plus another cheap decent sg or Carney. Brewer could always play a few minutes at Sg
Another analysis which should/will be done in the coming days is who has to be moved before the season begins. Clearly Telfair is a goner if Rubio signs. We have a lot of frontcourt players who are, on paper, redundant and will need to be moved. I don’t have the time to do this but I imagine a thorough analysis of what the Wolves have/what can they get/what they have room for will show up. I kind of doubt that we’ll be doing deals for guys like Cardinal, Smith, etc. for more players. At the very least it’ll have to be multiple for one type of deals.
Personally, I’d like to retain Bobby Brown. Telfair’s contract is almost up, and as much as I like him, Flynn does everything he does and more.
Brown on the other hand offers great deep shooting that neither Rubio or Flynn have, plus he’s athletic and aggressive. He’s not the greatest passer, but would that matter with Ricky?
We’re so short on shooters right now (basically just Ellington at this point), and I just think Brown has a ton of potential. He’s like a bigger Aaron Brooks out there.
Rubio is set to make just over 200,000 U.S. next year in Spain if I’m not mistaken. Sure, the buyout is steep and who know’s how he’d come up with 6.5 mil, but in the long run it makes zero sense to stay over there. I keep hearing he’d play for free over here, but he’d surely exceed his current contract in endorsements alone. Plus, the sooner he comes over the quicker he gets to his second contract. I see no good reason for his not coming over now, and i get the feeling Khan knows this given his wait and see approach. Perhaps his parents should be worrying more about the millions their kids agent cost him with his elusive workout plan than his NBA city.
How about a trade with the Clippers:
Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, and Al Thornton
for Ricky Rubio, Brian Cardinal, Craig Smith, and Corey Brewer?
PG - Flynn, Telfair
SG - Gordon, Ellington
SF - Gomes, Thornton
PF - Jefferson, Love
C - Kaman, Songaila, Thomas
Hate to lose Rubio, but love to add Gordon…
Etan Thomas could be a servicable center if he stays healthy, he averaged 6 pts and 6 rebs and 1.5 blocks in less than 20 minutes in 06-07 when he was healthy. He’s only 31 so he could be of some use this year
I like Thornton a lot, not sure if we want Kaman and his long big contract and injuries, maybe Camby in there instead because he has 1 year contract I believe
I know it’s been said, but…clean up the post, Jerry! It’s a bit embarrassing.
Nobody cares what I’m about to say, but in true post-board fashion, I’m going to say it anyway:
I loved Rubio and really liked Flynn before the draft. But I’m not sure they’ll work out in the same backcourt for a couple reasons:
1. Where’s the size on D? Any 2-guard worth his salt (there are plenty) will tear us up. I think Flynn can defend PGs well. That leaves 180 pound, not-really-athletic Rubio to take on 2 guards. It would be an issue.
2. Won’t defenses just sag off and clog the lane? I mean, where’s the shooting threat? Flynn’s got an okay shot, and Rubio should get better, but they’re below average. Opponents would probably just clog the lane, making things real difficult for both our slashers and inside scorers.
So those are my concerns. I WANT to like this backcourt of the future, but I don’t know…and with the Rubio difficulties, this doesn’t feel so good right now.
I think Kahn drafted Rubio to trade him, and is just posturing. Either that, or maybe he’s been out of the league for 7 years and doesn’t really know what he’s doing….
Isn’t Eric Gordon an undersized 2? I’d rather give Ellington every opportunity to earn that job. I like Thornton, but I highly doubt Khan takes Kaman’s contract.
Jerry….any truth to rumor from yesterday that Knicks were offering #8 and Wilson Chandler for our #6 (so they could draft Curry)? Chandler would have been a nice SF for us and we could have taken Flynn or DeRozan at #8.
I’m sorry, my last post was off-topic. The Clips trade is actually interesting…seems like that’s too much for them to give up, but maybe the idea of Griffin and Rubio anchoring the team would be too good to pass up.
Rubio will be in the NBA this year. The endorsements will more than pay for the buyout. Look at the boy — he’s going to be the David Beckham of basketball. I would not underrate the desire of a lot of people for him not to play here. Kudos if he does. Should be fun. I’ve warmed to it.
I like Jonny Flynn. But seriously. Last year Kevin Love was going to be a great compliment to Al Jefferson. Well, they were pretty muched overmatched defensively, sometimes humorously.
You have four players for two positions. The honeymoon will eventually end and players will want their natural spots. You could already see Jefferson moderately annoyed most of last season when Love was on the floor at the same time.
Flynn’s not going to want to tank his career playing shooting guard, and Jefferson’s going to sick of guarding seven footers every night. Last year we were told we could win with two players under 6′9″ (which hasn’t produced a championship since the ’70s), now we are being told we can compete with two point guards (which hasn’t won a championship since the 80s’). Well it’s double silly to have a micro front line and a miniture backcourt.
I don’t like that Clippers trade. Gordon’s a good shooter, but he’s only 6′4″ and average athletically. We tried that road with Foye already.
Maybe Marca is full of it, but the interesting thing about the article was that it suggested its the Rubio’s that are feeling the time pressure, because the buyout is going from 4.7 million to 6 million euros on July 1. So Kaahhnn!! can just sit back and let them come to him. Also, they said he makes 2.2 million euros for the next two years in spain, combined, which is bigger than I thought.
so he makes 8.8 million over three years here, the wolves kick in 500k on top. the buyout is 6.6 million, say that gets negotiated down to 5 million, he’s 4.3 million ahead.
or looking at it another way, over two years, he gives up 3 million from his spanish salary, pays the 5 million buyout, gets 5.6 million plus 500k for two years, he’s down 1.9 million over three years. But then he’s up 3 million the next year.
he has to pay that buyout at some time or another.
can’t believe that kind of contract is legal in Spain. Seems like indentured servitude.
I’m in LA and while I’m sure Rubio is appealing to Clipper fans, the FO here thinks Gordon and Griffin are the future (less so Thornton).
If I were Kahn I’d be trying to get Rudy Fernandez from Portland. He and Rubio were an awesome for Spanish national team and I’m sure would help ease Rubio’s mind about playing here.
if he wanted to get drafted #2 then he should have taken the workouts a bit more seriously
he should fire Fegan and his dad…the kid has not been well-served by either
they really screwed the pooch on this one
it almost makes me feel bad for it working to our advantage
Sine when did Big Al shrink to under 6′9″, Mike B.? Or are you talking about Love and Telfair being under 6′9″? 
I wish people would stop with that Clippers trade nonsense. As it has been said by others, we’d need to be offered something on the Dwight Howard or Kobe Bryant level to consider trading Rubio right now. It’s not going to happen folks.
Rubio and Flynn play this year for the Wolves. That’s the most likely scenario.
Rubio’s not under pressure to come to the NBA, but DKV is. That’s what Marca’s talking about. That club is small, doesn’t have much of a fanbase, doesn’t sell many tickets, and reportedly is on the verge of bankruptcy. They NEED Rubio’s buyout money to stay solvent.
I don’t see Rubio here this year, I hope I’m wrong
“we’d need to be offered something on the Dwight Howard or Kobe Bryant level to consider trading Rubio right now.”
You sound so sure about that, Facial, but I don’t know why. Sure, Kahn is talking up the value of Rubio. What do you think he would do if he was looking to trade him? Exactly that, right.
I think we’ll trade him.
A few thoughts:
1. I didn’t realize New York is considered warm weather. If the climate really is a factor with Rubio (which I really doubt), he wouldn’t want to go to the Knicks either.
2. Does Glen Taylor still have a good relationship with Kevin Garnett? I think if KG could put in a good word about being here Rubio would listen. I think Garnett liked it here and he is the kind of guy I’m sure Rubio grew up liking and respecting.
3. All KG would have to do is give the same advice Clem Haskins gave Tubby. Basically that people here will love you if you come here and do your job well.
4. If Rubio was willing to go to Oklahoma City, he’d love it here. I lived in Europe for several years growing up and my parents were there again while I was in college. My family and I have been to a lot of American cities and we generally agree that the city of Minneapolis has as close to a European feel as just about any American city we’ve been to. Compare that to a place like Charlotte, which is a warmer city but looks like the whole city was built in 1985, or a lot of the Southwestern/California or Southern cities.
5. I think there are two groups of opinions about Jonny Flynn. Anyone who watched the Syracuse-UConn 6 OT game saw that he plays with as much heart, passion and love of the game as anyone in college basketball, plus he has that natural feel for running an offense that can make him a special player despite his size.
6. Anyone who didn’t watch any Syracuse games during their postseason run and only bases opinions on stats and size assume he is just an undersized PG without the outside shooting ability to make up for his lack of size.
7. Ty Lawson=Mario Chalmers. Both were PGs on the national champs who the Wolves traded after drafting.
8. Wayne Ellington=Rashas McCants (I hope not!). Both were the SGs on North Carolina national champ teams who elevated their draft standing with strong Final Four performances, even though one was a moody slasher type and the other seems to be a well-grounded outside shooter.
9. If Mark Jackson is named coach, then the Wolves will wait out Rubio. One of the main reasons he’d be given the job is to develop two PGs and convince Rubio to welcome joining the team here.
10. Whatever happens with Rubio, I don’t look forward to months of the “will he come here or won’t he” like the Vikings have gone through with Brett Favre. I don’t think I could take a half year of this story if the Rubio saga starts as soon as the Favre saga ends.
I just agree with the analysis that Rubio’s value will only increase as time goes on. That’s why I say we’d need an unbelievable offer to make the trade right now.
I’m not the first one to state this idea on this board, I’m just agreeing with it. I think Kahn likes and wants to keep Rubio, but everyone has their price in theory.
When you take into account all the forces trying to dictate the final outcome over where and when Rubio plays in the NBA…the most logical conclusion is he plays here this year. It really is.
Facial I agree 100%. Kahn said like 100 times that Rubio is only 18, he won’t rush a trade or anything. He will be here for a minimum of 1yr playing or not playing. I think Kahn is done now for a while. He will get his coach and then maybe the free agent market.
The way he’s been talking he won’t rush anything or make any dumb deals. He’s a patient guy.
Oh, and Ellington is not McCants. Nothing close. Being shooting guards for North Carolina is the only thing they have in common. McCants was always a troubled kid…he had an attitude all the way back to coming out of high school. Ellington has been nothing but a model citizen.
Bryan’s hero to zero. Anybody surprised?
haha!
C-note you are an idiot. That trade w/the clippers? please. love and rubio for granger and hibbert? please.
and if it takes Ricky 2yrs to adapt, well thats what Flynn is for. Ricky can pick up 15-25min ppg for a few months and get accustomed. If he doesn’t come this year he’s not going to step in and play 40min ppg from game 1. its just not going to happen. he’s 18, his body will take a beating playing 40min ppg for all 82 games.
Even w/this draft we’re still going to be rebuilding for a few more years..unless somehow we land one of those massive FA’s in 10.
well duh, we’d all love to dump songalia/madsen/cardinal for better player(s) with same length contracts. who is going to offer us better players w/same length contracts?
No we do not need Ollie to mentor anyone. Thats what a coach is for. Parker came in w/o a shot, he developed one. he didn’t have a mentor. if you have good coaches who can teach technique and the player is willing to listen, practice/work at it..thats all you need. They’ve been playing ball all their lives, they don’t need someone to hold their hand for a year or two.
so now you want Camby w/the clipper trade? so you want to add a player for a year in a package for rubio? are you retarded?
I would take Granger over Rubio right now if we have Flynn and Hibbert and future 1st would be fine with me Love and Jefferson will not work with such a small backcourt already.
Why in the world is everyone assuming that we are going to try to trade Rubio? The guy has star potential, instantly makes the Wolves both better and more relevant. Khan says he isn’t trading him. Put aside the pessimism the previous regime inspired, and believe in something. Like competence.
I didn’t propose the Clippers trade, I just thru out Granger as a guy I would move Rubio for if it came to that
Thrillhouse:
Rubio is 6′5″ and 180 at 18. give the kid a few years and he’ll add 20-30lbs. especially w/nba lifting regimen. Kids got some hops and speed, don’t know about quicks but he seemed to do fine in the olympics against the US. What about that 2 guard on the opposing team guarding him when Ricky’s on offense?
Rose and Rondo aren’ shooting threats and they seem to be doing quite well. Again the kid is 18, give him 4yrs to practice, get stronger, and develop a j.
or maybe Kahn is just thrilled to have had Rubio fall into his lap. He wanted to make a splash..he made a cannonball sized one w/landing Rubio. I’d be thrilled as well.
I don’t mean to pile on here but Roy Hibbert makes Dikembe Mutombo look like Hakeem athletically.
Yeah he is slower than Collins, if thats possible, lol
What were Johnny Flynn’s thoughts on the draft and the prospect of being a 2 guard alongside Rubio? And his thoughts on Kahn annoiting Rubio the starting point when he walks through the door…did he have any comment?
I didn’t hear the press conference since I am out East (all I hear is Rubio to NYC rumors - lame).
Al Jefferson’s entering his sixth year without a playoff appearance. Think he’s going to be a happy camper waiting two more years for Rubio to show up or develop?
Think he’s going to want to win under twenty games again? Other than Al Jefferson, who on this roster is going to average more than 15 ppg next year? 12 ppg? I can guarantee you that he’s not going to have the mentality at this point to take a step back. Not after working his tail off to overcome a serious knee injury. Haven’t heard a peep from him since the Foye-Miller trade.
Man, the Rubio situation is complex but I swear everyone fires from the hip without really reading about it, verifying sources or taking the time to think about it.
We’re going to spend an entire off-season of Jim Rome style takes with little substance followed by a collective “wuh-huh!!//??” when he actually suits up for the Wolves.
Then they’ll immediately switch over to talking about how he’ll never stay and he’ll be in New York in 2015.
East Coast. I noticed the same comments from Kahn. I agree that they were puzzling comments. Again, what motivation does Flynn have to play here? He’s a class act so he’ll say the right things, but not playing his natural position when he could probably start as a point guard somewhere is going to catch up at some point.
If he does stay, he could leave in 2013, I think Flynn would stay, I don’t know about Rubio, there aren’t a lot of Garnetts out there
granger for rubio? no way. love for hibbert–no way, especially w/us likely to get a lottery pick next year and the assortment of picks we will have. possibly three i believe..ours if clips don’t get it, jazz and bobcats via denver-lawson deal. we should be able to land a big w/one of those pics. Now Smith, Madsen, Cardinal for Hibbert–maybe. def do if they’d take Cardinal, but they won’t.
I think there is a better than 50% chance that five years from now people are going to be talking about how crazy it was that DeMar DeRozan and Brandon Jennings went 9 and 10.
I wouldn’t do Love for Hibbert but Granger for Rubio I might, say we Keep Love and Al then
Flynn
Ellington
Granger
Love
Jefferson
You know Rubio will eventually want to leave so I’ll take Flynn for 10 years over Rubio’s 3
I’m out. I’ll take my negativity with me.
Mike B, you could be right, none of us really know and they kept saying Derozan could be a Kobe type player, thats whats fun about it, No one ever knows for sure, besides the Lebron pick
“I think there is a better than 50% chance that five years from now people are going to be talking about how crazy it was that DeMar DeRozan and Brandon Jennings went 9 and 10.”
I agree on DeRozan in the same way people marvel that Qyntel Woods was drafted 21st overall.
Broussard just called 50/50 that he plays here this year, i hope its more certain than that
None of ESPN’s analysts are taking in the whole picture. None of them factor in DKV’s desperation. None of them factor in how Flynn takes away Rubio’s leverage. None of them factor in how how shrewd Kahn is.
They talk basketball, but in the end, those networks are media outlets, and like any media outlet, their end focus is ratings, and to get ratings, you create controversy. So all summer, they’re going to be jumping on every myth, every quote, every soundbite about Rubio to try and make it seem like there’s a problem, because they know people will pay attention to that.
If you look through and listen to all of ESPN and SI and Yahoo’s analysts, all any of them really say is “LOL Minnesota 4 taking 2 many point guards” and “Rubio doesn’t like cold weather”. Both of which we’ve firmly derailed even just here on this blog.
If he doesn’t come this year, his stock can only rise I guess, if he doesn’t get hurt
Kahn is a typical lawyer and typical company president, he uses a lot of words but doesn’t say anything. Why not trade down from 6 to 8? If Flynn was gone, why not trade down again? Is Flynn THAT MUCH BETTER than: Teague, Maynor and Lawson? If Johnson was your guy, why not move up from 18 to get him? You ended up wasting the second round picks anyway!! Why trade in your same division? Would you have kept 18 if Holiday had still been on the board? Why not take Ellington at 18 rather than risk him still being there at 28? Nick Calathes was ranked in some mocks as being 1st round and fell to you at 45, a 6′ 5″ PG that you could stash and use as leverage and protection, and you traded him away!! The pick at 47, was that meant to help Ricky deal with coming to MN? Why not move up in the second round, either before the draft or during the draft when some names were still on the board? You talk of VALUE and yet you let players in the second round slip right through your fingers - just like the last group did time and time again. It doesn’t seem to matter who is in charge, this franchise is cursed. Perhaps we should just let it die, I’m about out of optimisim, understanding and patience.
You’re also out of foresight apparently.
1) Yes, Flynn is better than Teague, Maynor or Lawson. Look at any mock…Flynn is a consensus top 10 pick. The others are barely in the lottery, if at all.
2) Trading Lawson and Calathes got us two more picks in the 2010 draft. That gives us at least 4, maybe 5. Think long term.
3) Why take Ellington at #18 when he was PROJECTED to be there at #28. Half the mocks had him in the second round.
Gendo was right…this blog is full of Jim Romes running their mouths off wothout thinking anything through.
Bryan you are the biggest idiot this blog has ever seen. Why dont you run off to Memphis where you belong. You actually wanted this tool? You are such an idiot. Shut up already and go facebook your loverboy Lamebeet.
Fight, Fight, Fight, well maybe not but at least there is a little buzz around the Wolves right now, good or bad? I don’t know but were breaking the post records
It’ll keep up all summer. As long as Rubio hasn’t signed his rookie contract with us, people will come in with all sorts of wild speculation.
Once Stern gets involved on behalf of his friend, David Kahn, things will change. Rubio will be playing for the Wolves this fall. They need to start planning on how to keep the guy long-term.
To answer a couple of the questions:
Last I knew, K.G. had never returned any of Glen Taylor’s calls. The owner tried a couple times after the Celtics won the title a year ago and never heard back.
2. The Wilson Chandler thing to swap 6 and 8 might have been talked about because the Knicks put it on the table the Wizards owned the pick. Haven’t yet heard if it was truly offered, denied or what happened.
With the coaching search about to get under way, you have to believe that selecting Rubio really changes the list. He wants a former NBA point guard, which I agree….with two rookie point guards on the roster, we should select someone who can really mentor them both and hey, why not cater to Rubio a little while we’re at it.
So obviously Mark Jackson’s name really stands out now.
But here’s the thing….some of the other candidates…and even Mark…I don’t really think are good for us.
Take Avery Johnson for example. Former point guard? Check. Successful track record? Limited, but check. BUT, he’s a micromanager. He wants to call every play, and he wants his point guards to be the player he was in San Antonio…halfcourt, slow paced shooters. That’s what ultimately cost the Mavs Devin Harris and what, I think, would prove to be a major problem with Rubio. Ricky is like Kidd…give him the ball and let him do his thing. Even with Kidd….Jason did WORLDS better in Rick Carsile’s open court system than he did with Avery’s “let’s be the Spurs” stick (so did Dirk, obviously) And given how Jackson played with the Pacers, I think you have to at least be wary of that and address it with him if you consider him for coach.
So what names would fit that list then? My top name: Maurice Cheeks.
He’s a former point guard and, as proven by how he coached the Blazers and Sixers, he likes the open court.
there are a lot of good former guards out there that are potential coach candidates, Cheeks, Jackson, AJohnson are all viable options. Jeff Van Gundy is out there, Sam Mitchell, Bobby Knight!!! I hope Kahn’s list will include a couple of college coaches that can help on the “Develpment” side of his coaching plan.
Has anyone read any comments from Rubio??? Has Kahn mentioned tht he talked to Ricky.
Other than Minnesota is cold.
David Kahn has done something that no wolves front office type has done in 20yrs. Keep the Wolves on the tips of the NBA worlds toungue for 48hrs. it’s an amazing job for a guy who’s out of touch w/ the NBA and doesn’t know how to be a GM. he’s got the NBA by the governing “balls” at the moment and I don’t see the spotlight leaving Minny any time soon.
with that being said. he did say that Rubio is the starting point guard from day one which was another brilliant move on his part. it signifies that Rubio will be getting no fewer that 30mins per game when he gets here.
and I’m not sure that any of the teams that covet Rubio right now would be willing to give an 18yr old that kind of burn
east, the only thing that Kahn has mentioned as far as speaking w/ Rubio is through Rubio’s agent…which is probably as close as the Wolves will get to Rubio at the moment. that part of it is really sad but at 18 i guess I can’t say that I blame Rubio for that.
A couple observations:
1. David Kahn indicated that we now have 8 players (all 24 or younger) who are the foundation for the team. They are Big Al, Love, Gomes, Brewer, Rubio, Ellington, Flynn, and Telfair. Four of those players (Big Al, Gomes, Ellington, and Telfair) came from the Garnett trade. If Ellington sticks, the trade looks even better.
There is yet one more piece for the Wolves from that trade. That is their first round pick coming one year after they surrender their first round pick of the Clippers.
2. It will be interesting to see whom from the legacy front office team is retained. They were part of the group that gave DK all of the pieces that he is using garner the assets for the future. He also indicated that they were very professional during this last draft.
3. If Washington retained the 5th pick, I believe they would have drafted Rubio. Flip was very high on him. Also, had the Wolves not acquired Miller last year, they probably would not have been able to make the trade with Washtington. I do not see Washington trading number 5 for Foye and Marko.
Tomxx, I read that New York turned down a trade 2 weeks ago that would have led to them getting the #5 pick from Washington. But they didnt think Rubio would end up at 5 so they turned it down. Funny stuff if you think about it.
did anybody look at the Flynn interview from New York on draft night? did he really say “Mid Coast” thats hilarious…where would the mid coast be? did he mean the mid west or the north shore?
This is from a paper/channel 10 news newyork
NEW YORK STATE – It looks like Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris might be reunited again. We caught up with Harris working out at him and Jonny’s alma mater in Niagara Falls on Friday.
After going undrafted Thursday night, Harris says he’s talking with both Cleveland and the Minnesota Timberwolves in hopes of signing as a free agent.
KAHN PLEASE GRAB PAUL HARRIS. IT TOTALLY MAKES SENSE. HE’S PLAYED WITH FLYNN SINCE HIGH SCHOOL, THE BOY IS A NASTY DUNKER AND HE’LL BE CHEAP SINCE HE WENT UNDRAFTED. THE KIDS GOOT POTENTIAL AND COULD BE THE SLEEPER! GRAB HIM NOW. DID I LEAVE OUT HE WANTS TO PLAY IN MINNY.
PAUL HARRIS
Easy on the caps adam, too early in the morning for that. 
lol….
Here’s Pauuuuuuuul Harris. I put money Wolves sign him.
Watch this sick Dunk!
stay classy wayne: http://deadspin.com/5302894/uncs-ellington-happy-to-be-drafted-but-sad-to-leave-19+year+old-philly-girlfriend
Hey Jerry,
Are you taking my comments off of your site? Are you actually censoring my comments? What’s the matter, I don’t agree with you???
getfree you have a problem with his girlfriend? seriously. She looks good to me.
I will say that this draft again brings up the debate of drafting for need or best-player-available.
From my perspective (*which has always been decidedly “BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE”), I’m pleased that David Kahn also obviously believes this.
Can you guys imagine what The Timberwolves would have done if they were drafting solely for need?
Drafting for need would have netted us Rubio, DeRozen, Mullens and Ellington. Drafting for Best Player Available netted us Rubio, Flynn, Charlotte’s future No. 1 and Ellington.
The thing I like about this is that David Kahn is not lazy like the previous regime. His picks require more work in the future as it relates to probably having to trade Rubio (of Flynn) and preparing for an additional draft pick next year. The easy thing would have been to reach for lesser-talent/higher-risk players that would have “fit” better.
The debate will never end, but as a “Best Player Available guy”, I like the way Kahn is building the team.
i honstly think, even drafting for need that the wolves still would have taken Rubio and Flynn. if they wouldn’t have drafted either, the only other guy that might have gotten taken would have been DeRozen but I just don’t see Kahn ever drafting him
Right now, Ricky boy is waking up in his suite at the Carlyle.
He is awake so early only because it is already afternoon in lovely Spain.
His mother has buttered his croissant. Poured his orange juice.
He patters across the carpet in his footie jammies.
He sips his juice, he takes a bit of his roll.
It sticks in his throat.
He remembers. He is trapped. For all time. Trapped in the dead center of the planet.
He cries out.
KAAAAHHHHHNNNNNN!!!!!!
Take it like a man, Ricky, you’re coming to Minnesota.
Good take Foo.
At least Ellington won’t have to spend any of his signing bonus on implants.
Hopefully she and her twin towers are at some games. Nothing wrong with a little more eye candy.
She may need the to buy the seat in front of her also, assuming I don’t beat her to it.
Is she a Khardashian? No, can’t be if she was admitted to college.
Wow this schtick is killing me….enuff enuff, I can’t take it anymore.
seenenough, I haven’t taken any comments down. Did you ever see it go up? Sometimes mine get lost in the ether before they ever get posted. I’ve never removed a post except for inappropriate content and I don’t think anyone else regularly monitors this blog, unless done by a filter perhaps.
Jerry,
What is your gut feeling on whether we see Rubio here this year?
Jerry,
What are the restrictions on the Pick we got from Denver?
Are there any shot blocking,rebounding big men out there that could be younger versions of Theo Ratlief?Other than Aldrich,any good #5’s than will come out of next year’s draft?
I’m from LA and I have a VERY good source in Dan Fagen’s office. People, there is NO WAY Rubio ever plays here. Fagen can’t stand Kahn! Kahn is a a joke around the league! I know everyone wants to drink the Kahn koolaid, but wake up. Wolves made a big mistake hiring this guy. Everyone outside the twin cities knows he’s an idiot. Sorry to rain on your parade, Wolves fans.
Not Buying It-
Hate to break it to you, but there is no bigger joke in the league than Fegan or the Clips.
I wouldn’t believe a word that you hear in a sports agents office, much less Fegan’s. That guy screwed the pooch on handling Rubio, and his guy dropped.
Thanks for the shout out out there in ‘LA’
It would be wonderful testimony to Mr. Fegan’s agenting skills and ethics that he would make a decision for a client based o n his personal animosity towards a general manager.
That part of your story does ring true.
Alphatwolf: be that as it may, Rubio never plays a minute for the Wolves. Bank it.
I would also add that it is an agent’s job to look out for his clients interests. If he feels Kahn’s (mis-)management will be harmful to Rubio’s career, can you really blame him?
It doesn’t matter how much Fegan hates Kahn or Minnesota. He has no leverage. The only thing he can do is try to broker a trade that looks good enough to Kahn. That won’t be easy.
Notgettin’it–
That’s the beauty of it. Wolves win either way.
Stay out of the deep end today. Just to be sure.
Even Ricky Davis thinks Fegan goes to far–
“He doesn’t need to be an agent,” said Davis, about Fegan. “He does dirty stuff, under-the-table things. [Varejao] needs to change agents immediately if he wants to get this thing done.”
How Fegan got his behind kicked by Danny Ferry (how humiliating), trying to bring the “NFL holdout” to the NBA
Whether Fegan is dirty or not, it doesn’t change the fact that D Kahn is a trainwreck. If agents can’t stand him, how is he going to get any free agents to sign? How is he going to build a team if he throws away draft picks on guys who will refuse to play for him? How is he going to get guys to play hard when he’s already alienated the whole team by firing the coach the players wanted? Kahn should do all Wolves fans a favor and resign now.
Rubio said on Spanish TV that he got an offer from Real Madrid to play for them, but he’s not going to accept. He wants to play in the NBA and he’s proud to be a top 5 pick. He also said there’s only a minimal chance he returns to Europe next season.
Agents and Lawyers suck blood to live…plain and simple. No offense to anyone, but even leeches are useful in certain situations.
With a situation like Ricky’s I am glad we have a lawyer as a GM instead of a conventional one…Kahn has his moves planned out and he thinks like an agent - which is likely why an agent would think he is tough/hard to deal with.
I agree fully with Not Buying It. Kahn is a trainwreck and when the Wolves are looking at a 2-15 start to the season, his cover will be blown. Listen to the way the guy speaks and all of the talking points he needs to get into the hands of the public. Looks like he’s trying a little too hard.
