The Minnesota Timberwolves are pushing hard to sign former first round pick, Ricky Rubio. A team of Timberwolves officials, including GM David Kahn, are in Spain this week to meet with him.
Rubio was drafted by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall pick in 2009 but remained unsigned dude to buyout issues with his Spanish team.
Rubio has since moved to Regal Barcelona, who now holds a $1 buyout for his rights.
By NBA rules, the Wolves can only contribute $500,000 to any such buyout and would have to seek outside financing for the remainder of that figure.
Earlier in the year, there were reports from those close to Rubio that he would be unwilling to sign with Minnesota and would instead ask for a trade to a larger market team such as New York or Miami.
Despite the rumours, the Timberwolves are hoping to sign Rubio to a long-term deal within the next few weeks.
The young point-guard was highly touted in 2009 but has had an underwhelming 2011 Euroleague campaign, averaging 6.5 ppg and 3.6 assists in 22.7 minutes per game.
If Rubio were to join the Wolves next season, he would be a strong possibility to take Luke Ridnour’s current starting job.
The Wolves had the league’s worst record in 2010-11 and have the highest chance at attaining the number one overall pick in the upcoming lottery and draft.
If the Wolves were to acquire the first pick, they would almost certainly take Kyrie Irving, the consensus number PG out of Duke, which would only further complicate Minnesota’s rotation troubles at the guard positions.
Depending on the outcome of the draft, the Wolves are likely to see at least one of their young PGs moved to a new home, with second year, Jonny Flynn, the most likely candidate.
Either way, the Timberwolves will be happy to have a new young talent to pair with All Star, Kevin Love, after the team’s dismal 2010-11 season.
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