Posted by Pharzeone:

Timberwolves president David Kahn admitted on Thursday night that the team isn't in full control of Ricky Rubio's buy out situation.

"Nobody here tonight, myself especially, will be banging his fist on the table, saying, 'He must be here!' It's a very complicated matter," Kahn said Thursday night. "We need to understand that we're not in control of the situation vis a vis the buyout. ... I think it's too early to worry about that. But I said this to the agent tonight: If any team in this league can afford to wait a year, dare I say two, it's us. Y'know? It's us."

There were rumors on Draft Night that Rubio might not buy his way out of his contract with DKV Joventut and join Minnesota for this coming season.

Kahn downplayed the belief that Rubio's new revelation had something to do with him not wanting to playing for the Timberwolves.

"I don't think it's a destination problem," Kahn said. "I believe he would have been more than happy to play in Oklahoma City. And with all due respect to Oklahoma City ..."

Phar, I don't know why you always get so wrapped up in what GM's say to the media. These are cookie-cutter answers and they are never going say anything about their potential intentions in an interview, incase for whatever the reason something doesn't happen.

Multiple reports coming out now, but heres just one..

Knicks still in hunt for Ricky Rubio
June 26, 2009

The Knicks are about to officially enter the Ricky Rubio sweepstakes.

Donnie Walsh revealed on Friday that he intends to call his former assistant, Minnesota GM David Kahn, about the availability of Rubio, the fifth overall pick from Thursday's NBA Draft.

Rubio, the highly touted point guard from Spain, would prefer to play in New York. Rubio's father told Marca.com that his son may elect to stay with his club team in Spain for at least another two years.

Minnesota drafted three point guards in the first round, including Jonny Flynn at six. They also drafted Ty Lawson but traded him to Denver. The Knicks could have the inside track on Rubio for several reasons. For one, he wants to play in New York. The other is Walsh's relationship with Kahn that dates back to their days with the Indiana Pacers.

Perhaps the Knicks can work out a multi-player deal where they'll trade at least Wilson Chandler to get Rubio. The Knicks may have to include Jordan Hill and take back the contract of Brian Cardinal.

Hill was drafted eighth overall and the Knicks also traded to get the 29th pick, point guard Toney Douglas from Florida State. Douglas, by the way, will wear No. 23 which was vacated when Quentin Richardson was traded for Dark Milicic. Of course, Douglas is only renting that number until LeBron James signs with the Knicks in 13 months.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/knicks/2009/06/knicks-still-in-hunt-for-ricky.html#ixzz0JYojt3Dg&C

Posted by nyk4ever:

Multiple reports coming out now, but heres just one..

Knicks still in hunt for Ricky Rubio
June 26, 2009

The Knicks are about to officially enter the Ricky Rubio sweepstakes.

Donnie Walsh revealed on Friday that he intends to call his former assistant, Minnesota GM David Kahn, about the availability of Rubio, the fifth overall pick from Thursday's NBA Draft.

Rubio, the highly touted point guard from Spain, would prefer to play in New York. Rubio's father told Marca.com that his son may elect to stay with his club team in Spain for at least another two years.

Minnesota drafted three point guards in the first round, including Jonny Flynn at six. They also drafted Ty Lawson but traded him to Denver. The Knicks could have the inside track on Rubio for several reasons. For one, he wants to play in New York. The other is Walsh's relationship with Kahn that dates back to their days with the Indiana Pacers.

Perhaps the Knicks can work out a multi-player deal where they'll trade at least Wilson Chandler to get Rubio. The Knicks may have to include Jordan Hill and take back the contract of Brian Cardinal.

Hill was drafted eighth overall and the Knicks also traded to get the 29th pick, point guard Toney Douglas from Florida State. Douglas, by the way, will wear No. 23 which was vacated when Quentin Richardson was traded for Dark Milicic. Of course, Douglas is only renting that number until LeBron James signs with the Knicks in 13 months.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/knicks/2009/06/knicks-still-in-hunt-for-ricky.html#ixzz0JYojt3Dg&C

Great he wants Rubio. I am sure he wants a couple of players. Doesn't mean they are available. Good due diligence. Like I said he should reach out to the Clippers for Griffin. I notice he wasn't that excited. Hell, I would reach out to the Lakers too. "Are you sure you're happy with Kobe. Alright just checking." Check on Lebron, Wade and Bosh too. Much like that Boston exec asking about the Pistons core. It never hurts to ask.

[Edited by - pharzeone on 06-26-2009 2:14 PM]

As far I know there is no limitations on draft rights. The Blazers held Sabonis' rights for over a decade until he found his way to the NBA. If Kahn feels that passionate about the issue, he doesn't have to do squat and hey he just so happen drafted another point in Flynn. It could be see you in a couple of years Rubio or never got to know ya. Up to him really. I think there is zero pressure on Kahn who just took over and isn't expect to contend for anything for awhile.

LOL, Kahn may feel that it is crazy enough to work ala Isiah. The Knicks tried to sale everyone on the fact that Marbury and Francis could work. The Knicks thought a twin tower would work in NY. Hell it is still amazing that Clyde and the Pearl worked. Who knows. To constantly question the motives is just as far out there. It maybe a stupid gameplan but that's their gameplan.

haha, ordinarily I would agree with that, but not when it might mean Rubio could end up in NY.

I'll abandon my principles for a shot at him any day

Posted by TMS:

lumbardar, now that u mention it, it is a little curious to me why Yi was criticized so much for trying to dictate where he would be taken, but Rubio hasn't gotten much at all... IMO both players are only looking out for their families & their own best interests here... playing in MIN does not appeal to Rubio for multiple reasons, so i can understand why he would wanna play someplace else.

[Edited by - TMS on 06-26-2009 1:28 PM]

That's a fair point. That discussion even with into talking about Chinese toothpaste for no particular reason. My feelings on both matters are constant. Don't get the Rubio exception used by others though.

yeah but Rubio's got those buyout issues to worry about & again, we're talking about MIN compared to LA here, not exactly the same w/Blake Griffin's situation as i mentioned to Pharzeone in another thread... the money Rubio makes in his contract will not cover the expense of the buyout & the team can only foot up to 500K of the buyout cost... the rest will have to come out of Rubio's own pocket... that's asking a lot of a guy to accept when there will be very limited marketing opportunities playing in the market that drafted him... he wouldn't have to face those same issues playing in NY... i can easily understand his reluctance to play in MIN... if i were him i'd probably just stay in Europe too instead of coming here & paying a boatload of money outta my own pocket just so i can play in the NBA.

This is kinda huge what he said here:

"La verdad, cuando empezó el draft sí me veía con alguna gorra. Estaba haciendo planes, como el 3 era Oklahoma pues ir allí, después Sacramento me quería mucho y me hice la idea de Sacramento. Después tuve la opción de ir al número 8 y decirles a los otros siete que no iba a venir y venir a New York. Al final, esta semana he pensado que lo mejor sería dejar de pensar y que las cosas pasaran porque cada minuto estaba en un equipo diferente y me iba a volver loco".

Translation:

Really, when the draft started I did see myself with any team cap. I was making my plans, since the 3rd was Oklahoma then going there, after that Sacramento wanted me a lot and I made up my mind of Sacramento. After that I had the option of going to the #8th and tell the other seven that I wasn't going and going to New York. In the end, this week I've thought that the best would be to stop thinking and let things happen because each minute I was in a different team and it was gonna drive me nuts.

Posted by Pharzeone:

He won't be the first or the last. Wonder prizes like Tiago, Fran, Milos and the rest have chosen to stay overseas and the league somehow manage to carry on without them. Hey maybe that Milos draft rights is still floating around out there somewhere maybe the Knicks can get him, you know the next big point guard that everyone forgot about.

the difference w/Rubio is he actually WANTS to play in the NBA... most of those other guys declined for whatever reason... Milos was scared he wouldn't get any playing time in NY... u can't equate Rubio's situation to that guy at all, completely different scenarios.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60108/20090626/love_rubio_to_stay_in_spain/

Looks like Rubio is staying in Spain afterall....let the bidding war begin. Or does Kahn hold his ground and wait Rubio out?

BTW, TMS and NYK4ever should be proud of me for not starting a new thread to post this news

[Edited by - uptown on 06-26-2009 6:10 PM]