Ricky Rubio News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves fans haven't yet seen hide nor hair of lottery draft pick Ricky Rubio, and won't do so for at least two more years. LeBron James has. The Cleveland Cavaliers star faced Rubio twice in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where James' U.S. team played Rubio's Spanish national team twice. In the second meeting, Rubio started at age 17 in the gold medal game for injured Jose Calderon and didn't play a lick like his age. "He's a really good push guard," James said when asked about Rubio's NBA prospects. "He's very smart. He has been playing professionally for a long time now over in the Euroleague and on the Spanish national team. He looked good against us. He was very under control. You ..."

Kings can't forget about Rubio

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September 6

Sacramento Bee

columnist Ailene Voisin

"Spanish sensation and one-time Kings draft prospect Ricky Rubio recently spurned the Minnesota Timberwolves for reasons that are thought to include any or all of the following: He hates cold weather. He hates competition. He hated the thought of relinquishing millions in a contractual buyout, although the New York Knicks would have been tempting and, from the beginning, Sacramento was his desired location. So what this tells the Kings is that Rubio is confused, is still a kid, and they need to be aggressive and alert. You know. As proactive and persistent as wounded T-wolves president David Kahn, but with the backroom panache of the San Antonio Spurs. There's plenty of time to plot. Rubio ..."

Rubio will remain in Spain

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September 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn returns from Spain today with his passport stamped there for the third time already this summer, but without Ricky Rubio -- just when he nearly had the elusive first-round draft pick secured. At dinner Saturday night, Kahn reached agreement with Rubio's DKV Joventut team on a complicated multimillion dollar contract buyout that would have put Rubio in a Timberwolves uniform this season. On Monday night, Rubio informed Kahn that he had changed his mind and wanted to remain at home with a new team in Barcelona rather than leave for Minnesota and the NBA, a course he charted for himself last spring when he declared himself eligible for the June draft. ..."

Timberwolves will give Ricky Rubio no more guarantees

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September 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"In a parting conversation Tuesday morning in Barcelona, Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations David Kahn gave Ricky Rubio no guarantees about his status with the NBA club in two years. The 18-year-old Spanish phenom had an opportunity to start his NBA career this season but changed his mind 48 hours later, a decision that gives rookie Jonny Flynn a significant head start on becoming the Wolves' long-term point guard. Kahn's summerlong attempt to bring Rubio to Minnesota ended Monday night when the No. 5 pick in the June 27 NBA draft opted to stay home and play for Regal FC Barcelona, the team that paid a reported $5.28 million to pry Rubio away from his previous Spanish ..."

David Kahn on Ricky Rubio's decision to stay in Spain

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September 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"David Kahn just released a statement on Ricky Rubio's decision to stay in Spain for at least two more seasons. Here it is: On Saturday night, an agreement was reached between Dan Fegan, the agent for Ricky Rubio, Jordi Villacampa, the president of Joventut Badalona, and myself on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves to buy out the last two years of Ricky's contract with Joventut so that he could play in the NBA next season. While the term sheet was being finalized Monday night, Ricky informed me that, despite considering us his first option the previous weekend - and, admittedly, after some back and forth throughout the summer - he preferred to stay at home to play for FC Barcelona, which ..."

Rubio saga takes another spin

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September 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"News reports on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday night said Ricky Rubio will stay in Spain and play for a Barcelona team until at least 2011. But as this mysterious serial now stretches into its third full month, a question still remains: Is this really, truly it? Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn -- in Spain since late last week working to obtain Rubio's release from his DKV Joventut team -- remained mum on the subject Monday night. That's when ESPN.com, Yahoo! Sports and Spanish media outlets, quoting unnamed sources, said Rubio's team turned down the Wolves' offer to buy out the 18-year-old point guard's contract and agreed to transfer Rubio to Regal Barcelona for $5.3 million ..."

Stakes of Kahn's latest trip: Rubio -- and his reputation

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August 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"New Timberwolves boss David Kahn predicted turbulence and preached patience on the night he drafted Spanish teenage sensation Ricky Rubio 67 days ago. Spanish media reports have had Rubio staying in Spain with his DKV Joventut team or a new team nearly a half-dozen times already this summer and still his future remains undetermined. But that situation finally looks on the verge of being resolved, perhaps in the coming hours or at least days. Kahn traveled to Spain late last week -- believed to be at least the third such trip since July -- with what is likely an enhanced creative offer to get the 18-year-old point guard signed before the European Championships begin a week from today and in ..."

Timberwolves' Kahn refutes latest Rubio deal report

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August 28

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Yet another Spanish newspaper has reported that Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick Ricky Rubio will play the next two seasons for the Regal Barcelona team. On Wednesday, the Barcelona Mundo Deportivo daily said the 18-year-old point guard would sign with Regal Barcelona after a tentative contract buyout for more than $5 million with his DKV Joventut team had been reached. Wolves president David Kahn promptly denied knowledge of any deal. In today's edition of El Periodico, the Spanish daily reports that DKV has accepted in principle a buyout of Rubio's contract for $5.3 million, and that Joventut's board of directors will meet Friday to ratify the deal. And this morning, Kahn wrote in ..."

No deal reached for Rubio

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August 27

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn said he knows of no deal that, according to a Spanish media report earlier today, would move first-round draft pick Ricky Rubio from DKV Joventut to Regal Barcelona. "Based on the information I have attained today, no team in any league has reached a deal with DKV Joventut concerning Ricky's buyout, which must be accomplished before Ricky is released from his contract with DKV Joventut," Kahn said in a statement."

The saga continues: Rubio to stay in Spain?

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August 26

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Spanish media outlet Marca reports Ricky Rubio is set to sign a 6-year deal with Regal Barcelona that will include a buyout clause that could bring him to the NBA and the Timberwolves in 2011. If it comes to pass, Rubio's transfer from DKV Joventut to Barcelona will be the most expensive buyout ($5.3 million) in Europe basketball history. David Kahn said this in a statement, "Based on the information I have attained today, no team in any league has reached a deal with DKV Joventut concerning Ricky's buyout, which must be accomplished before Ricky is released from his contract." Right now, this whole thing is a game of negotiating chicken with Rubio's DKV Joventut team trying to extract the ..."

Source: Rubio deal not done yet

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August 26

ESPN.com

"Although there remains a strong possibility that Ricky Rubio will play in Spain rather than Minneapolis next season, a Spanish media report Wednesday of his agreement to a six-year deal with FC Barcelona was overstated, a knowledgeable NBA source told ESPN.com. The Spanish newspaper Marca said Regal FC Barcelona had agreed to pay Rubio's former team, DKV Joventut, 3.7 million Euros ($5.28 million U.S.) for the rights to the 18-year-old playmaker who was taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick of June's NBA draft. "Ricky Rubio hasn't signed anything. Joventut hasn't accepted anything. It's not over yet," said the source, who was briefed early Wednesday on the ever-changing ..."

Timberwolves still working to land Rubio

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August 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Timberwolves President David Kahn has made a second trip to Spain to try to learn more about what it will take to get Ricky Rubio, the team's No. 1 draft pick, to Minnesota. It's still unclear whether the 18-year-old point guard could get out of his DKV Joventut Barcelona team's contract, which includes a $6.6 million buyout, in time for Wolves training camp in October. But the Wolves, as the Vikings did this week with quarterback Brett Favre, would allow Rubio to come to training camp late. That's because Rubio has started practicing with the Spanish national team and would be in shape. It's expected to be several more weeks before the Wolves learn whether they will have Rubio for the ..."

Wolves pair share vision for the future

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August 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The man who inherited low-post scorer Al Jefferson as the cornerstone of the franchise but envisions his new team defining itself with fast-break flamboyance officially hired Kurt Rambis -- a four-time NBA champion on the Los Angeles Lakers' "Showtime" teams of the 1980s -- as head coach Monday. Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn called the decision arguably the most important one he will make on the job. He said he chose Rambis -- the Lakers assistant coach who will be introduced today at a 1 p.m. news conference at Target Center -- over TV analyst Mark Jackson and Houston assistant coach Elston Turner because of his personality, championship pedigree and coaching experience. It sure ..."

Fiscal worlds collide

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August 10

Boston Globe

"Spanish guard Ricky Rubio apparently wants to play in the NBA next season. The NBA wants Rubio, judging by the fact he was the No. 5 pick in the June draft. And Rubio's club, DKV Joventut, is more than willing to let him go. So, what's the holdup? For one thing, there is Rubio's $8.55 million buyout, small change for Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. But there is also something stronger at work than dollars - a clause in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement that limits teams to $500,000 for buyouts of players outside the league. In other words, Rubio could be playing in the NBA if the Timberwolves were allowed to pay the market price. Olympiakos of Greece and Real Madrid ..."

Ricky Rubio won't return to Spanish team

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July 23

Seattle Times

"Rubio plans to leave Spanish club: Ricky Rubio plans to part ways with Spanish club DKV Joventut even if the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot reach a deal to bring their first-round draft pick to the NBA. Timberwolves president David Kahn was in Spain this week to try to help the fifth overall pick negotiate a buyout of his contract with Joventut. Rubio is at odds with his boyhood club over a buyout clause that could cost the 18-year-old point guard as much as $6.6 million. The NBA's collective-bargaining rules limit the Timberwolves' contribution to $500,000. Rubio signed with Joventut at 14 years old, becoming the youngest player to play in a Spanish ACB League game. He rose to prominence ..."

Is Ricky Rubio warming to idea of playing for Minnesota Timberwolves?

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July 23

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Ricky Rubio, the Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick last month, told the team shortly after the draft in a private meeting in Minneapolis that he's prepared to play in Minnesota next season if he and his agent can change the buyout with his DKV Joventut team in Spain. That buyout reportedly has increased recently from $6.6 million to $7.7 million. The Wolves have no intention of trading Rubio, 18, who was the No. 5 overall pick in June's draft. One avenue for paying the buyout for Rubio is through commercial endorsements and a loan from a bank that would be paid back over several years from his NBA earnings. The Twins got a steal when they were able to sign Jason Kubel (16 homers, 52 ..."

Rubio has one foot out door in Spain

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July 23

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn remained in Spain on Wednesday involved in negotiations that likely will lead first-round pick Ricky Rubio away from his Spanish pro team and to the Wolves or another European team, perhaps in a matter of days. Rubio told the Associated Press in Spain that he expects to leave his DKV Joventut Badalona team and hopes to join a winning team. He could still up end with the Wolves, too. "I want to continue with the club but, after everything that's happened, I don't think they're too comfortable having me in their squad," Rubio was quoted as saying Wednesday. "I want to play in a winning team, on a team that can achieve many things." ..."

Rubio will play for Timberwolves if buyout resolved

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July 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Ricky Rubio, the Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick last month, told the team shortly after the draft in a private meeting in Minneapolis that he's prepared to play in Minnesota next season if he and his agent can change the buyout with his Spanish DKV Joventut team. That buyout has reportedly increased recently from $6.6 million to $7.7 million. The Wolves have no intention of trading Rubio, 18, who was the No. 5 overall pick in June's draft. One avenue for paying the buyout for Rubio is through commercial endorsements and a loan from a bank that would be paid back over several years from his NBA earnings."

T'wolves GM to meet with Rubio's team

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July 16

Yahoo! Sports

"Minnesota Timberwolves general manager David Kahn is planning a trip to Spain to meet DKV Joventut officials about lowering the steep $6.6 million buyout clause in draft pick Ricky Rubio's contract, sources with knowledge of Kahn's plans told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday. Kahn will meet with Rubio and his family on the trip, the sources said, but the journey's primary objective is to work with the European team about finding a way to get Rubio to the T'wolves this season. It's expected Kahn will leave for Spain later this week from the NBA's summer league in Las Vegas. Rubio, 18, is the flashy Spanish point guard Minnesota picked fifth in the June draft. Rubio "is OK with playing in ..."

Rookie Jonny Flynn says Timberwolves better team with Ricky Rubio

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July 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Jonny Flynn, the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft and the Timberwolves' second selection (after fifth overall pick and fellow point guard Ricky Rubio), has been taking part in the Wolves' summer league games in Las Vegas. Here is Flynn ... On how the summer camp in Las Vegas has gone for him: "I'm definitely learning the NBA game, just learning the ins and out of the NBA game. It's so much different from the college game. The rules. The terminology." On goals he has set as a rookie: "I would definitely love to be one of the top rookies in the league. I would love to make the rookie/sophomore (all-star) game. One goal is to get more wins than last year. Anything I can do to help the ..."

Ricky Rubio's contract status, Timberwolves' coaching search still works in progress

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July 8

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Like Ricky Rubio's contract situation, the Timberwolves' coaching search is an ongoing process, and it's still too early to say how or when either will end. Two Spanish newspapers reported Tuesday that lawyers for Rubio offered his Spanish team more than $3 million to let the Wolves' No. 1 draft choice out of the final two years of his contract. El Periodico and El Mundo Deportivo reported that the club, which has rejected a $4 million offer from Rubio's representatives, will consider the proposal this morning during a meeting of its board of directors. Earlier Tuesday, Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn again referred any buyout questions to Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, ..."

Rubio: Diamond in rough, an elusive crown jewel, both?

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July 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Ricky Rubio is basketball's rock star, a pro since he was 14 with a flair on the court that has made him the sport's first international YouTube sensation. His mop of hair, dark eyes and lanky 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame, combined with his deft passing skills, have drawn repeated comparisons to the legendary Pete Maravich, and teenage girls are said to swoon when he leaves the locker room of his Spanish pro team. So it is not surprising that the selection of this precocious 18-year-old Spaniard by the Timberwolves in last week's NBA draft has created a buzz around the woebegone franchise not seen since Kevin Garnett's glory days. But excitement is tempered on two fronts: Will a huge buyout ..."

Timberwolves' draft pick Ricky Rubio reportedly will stay in Spain for two years

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July 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season, El Periodico reported today. The Barcelona newspaper also says Rubio, who was paid $97,000 last season, plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut."

Rubio puzzle a taxing, twisted mess

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June 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Ricky Rubio situation is becoming mind-numbingly complicated. It's like peeling back an onion and finding layer upon layer of difficulty. Here's a little subplot going on overseas: The unemployment rate in Spain sits at 17 percent. Times are tough. In fact, Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, asked the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda) for permission to postpone a tax payment. In order to do that, the team had to put up collateral. Among that collateral was Rubio's contract. This is where it gets a bit unclear. The Spanish News Agency, EFE, reported June 10 that Rubio's contract was "sold" to Hacienda and that Rubio had filed a lawsuit because he hadn't been notified ..."

Rubio puzzle a taxing, twisted mess

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June 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"The Ricky Rubio situation is becoming mind-numbingly complicated. It's like peeling back an onion and finding layer upon layer of difficulty. Here's a little subplot going on overseas: The unemployment rate in Spain sits at 17 percent. Times are tough. In fact, Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, asked the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda) for permission to postpone a tax payment. In order to do that, the team had to put up collateral. Among that collateral was Rubio's contract. This is where it gets a bit unclear. The Spanish News Agency, EFE, reported June 10 that Rubio's contract was "sold" to Hacienda and that Rubio had filed a lawsuit because he hadn't been notified ..."

Where will Ricky play?

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June 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Ricky Rubio soap opera is just a few days into what could be a long summer run, but the Spanish point guard's options for this season aren't that complicated. In no particular order, they are: 1. Play for the Timberwolves. 2. Play for another NBA team that can work out a trade. 3. Return to Europe. At this early stage, it's impossible to say which it will be, or how and when it might end. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn had no comment Sunday on a Pioneer Press report that Rubio and his father flew to Minneapolis the day before to discuss his NBA future. Kahn has said the Wolves would be willing to wait a year or even two for Rubio, if necessary, after making him ..."

Rubio Receives Overseas Offers

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June 28

New York Post

"A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season. Meanwhile, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him." Tim Shea, the former Knicks European scout who is a consultant for Rubio's agency, Winners Factory, said he expects a formal offer from a Turkish club tomorrow. The offer would be about $1 million, ..."

Walsh says Knicks will reach out to Minnesota about Ricky Rubio

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June 27

New York Daily News

"The Knicks aren't giving up on Ricky Rubio just yet. Friday, team president Donnie Walsh contacted his one-time protÃ©gÃ©, Timberwolves GM David Kahn, after Rubio's father told a Spanish news agency that his 18-year-old son may opt to remain in Europe for one or possibly two more years. Rubio has not said publicly that he won't play for Minnesota, but on the day after the Spanish point guard was selected with the fifth pick in the NBA draft, there is a growing sense that Rubio wants to be traded, preferably to the Knicks. On Wednesday, Rubio joked that his mother is worried about him living in a cold-weather city. A person close to the family said Friday that the Rubio clan "doesn't even ..."

Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings travel the same European path to the NBA

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June 27

New York Daily News

columnist Dick Weiss

"Ricky Rubio has prodigy written all over him. The slender 6-4, 180-pound point guard with the floppy Pete Maravich haircut and flashy game from DKV Joventut in Barcelona became the youngest player to appear in a Spanish ACB League game on Oct. 15, 2005 when he was just 14. Two years later, he led the Spanish national team to the FIBA Europe 16-and-under championship, scoring 51 points, grabbing 24 rebounds and contributing 12 assists and 7 steals during a 110-106 double overtime victory over Russia. His fame spread internationally when he was selected FIBA Europe's Young Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was a starter on his country's Olympic team, holding his own against Chris Paul ..."

Knicks Hope To Pry Rubio From Wolves

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June 27

New York Post

"The Ricky Rubio sweepstakes is back on! Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he's calling Timberwolves general manager David Kahn to see if the Spanish point guard phenom can be had after Rubio's father told a Spanish Web site that Rubio likely will stay in Spain for the next two seasons instead of paying off a buyout. In another sign he wants nothing to do with Minnesota, Rubio, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 showman, was not at yesterday's introductory press conference in Minneapolis, preferring to relax in New York -- a good omen for Knicks fans. Kahn said he didn't ask him to attend. A Minnesota official said there's no timetable for Rubio to report. The T'wolves picked Rubio at No. ..."

Knicks Will Check On Rubio

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June 26

New York Post

"Knicks president Donnie Walsh said today he will call the Timberwolves to inquire about Rickey Rubio's availability in the wake of his father threatening the point-guard phenom would play in Spain the next two years. Walsh and Wolves GM David Kahn are friends, with Kahn having worked for Walsh in Indiana. "I haven't spoken to Minnesota; I will," Walsh said at the press conference to introduce draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas. "He (Kahn) took a lot of point guards. I want to ask him why he did that. I just want to find that out. "He (Rubio) was one of (our) top players," Walsh added. "I would never say never to anything. We're in the offseason. We'll be checking everything out." ..."