Chris Sheridan at ESPN is reporting that Ricky Rubio will probably end up playing three seasons in his homeland as opposed to the previously reported two.
No Rubio Until 2012?
Don’t expect to see Ricky Rubio playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves -- or any other NBA team -- in the summer of 2011, two years from now.The opinion here is that it’ll be three years before Rubio leaves FC Barcelona, and there are millions upon millions of rea$on$ why this theory holds water
In case the dollar signs were not enough of a hint, the issue comes down to money. By staying in Spain for three years, Rubio would no longer be confined to the financial restrictions of a rookie contract.
In short, if Rubio comes in 2011, the rules say he can earn a maximum of $16.3 million in his first four seasons. If he comes in 2012, he won’t be boxed into that rookie-scale deal.If Rubio were to stay three years and tear it up in Barcelona, becoming Pedro Maravich, he would be eligible to sign a max contract and make $16.3 in his rookie season. Obviously that’s a big if, but even more realistic scenarios have him making more money than he would be making after two years.
When asked by Sheridan what type of commitment Rubio had to the T’Wolves in 2011, Kahn answered:
”I have nothing but his word that he wants to come, but he doesn’t have to.“Not an assuring response coming from someone who publicly insinuated that Rubio backed out of a deal earlier this week.
See More:
