Ricky Rubio Traded!!!

Rubio Traded! Wait A Second…

David Kahn has probably had a conniption today after hearing that Rubio had been traded from DKV Joventut to…Regal Barcelona. Not enough of a stomach punch, Timberwolves fans? How about Rubio signing a six-year deal with an opt out clause and a low buyout for the summer of 2011? So much for the Flynn-Rubio duo that Kahn had said he would push for the upcoming NBA betting season.

Ricky Rubio will be bought out of his current deal with DKV Joventut for $5.7 million, the most expensive in European basketball history. He will join Regal Barcelona with a front-loaded contract that will progressively decrease over the six-year period so that they are not hampered by the drama of Rubio’s current deal. As stated before, Rubio will be able to opt out of the six-year contract, but his rights will still need to be bought out.

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Unlike their NBA counterparts, the European Clubs actually own the rights to the players as long as they’re not a free-agent. If they’re a free-agent, the player and his management team can sign with whomever they want. But to actually move a player between clubs, a buyout needs to occur. For example, Rubio will make a few million from the deal himself (i.e. the six-year contract) but DKV Joventut is also getting the $5.7 million in return for his rights. That money is paid by Regal Barcelona. If this is making your head hurt, just imagine that Rubio is a sex slave and the teams are actually selling the rights to his soul, while the six-year deal serves as a player salary.

In any case, it looks like Rubio is probably going to be in Europe for the next two years. As sad as that is for the Timberwolves, who shipped Randy Foye to Washington in place of the pick, it’s actually a good thing for Rubio. Listen, the only concern for the Wolves is the mileage piling up on Al Jefferson’s young legs. In two years, he’ll still be a contender and perhaps the best low-post player in the league. Rubio is just 19-years-old and while I’m not sold on him as an NBA-elite yet, I may be in two years of physical maturing and mental grooming.

How many times have kids signed in to the NBA and busted. Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are the three virtuosos who managed to blossom, but they’re the exceptions to the rule. Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler and even Tracy McGrady were all meant to be stars, but their flames have burnt out, largely due to immaturity or an irresponsible development of their physical well being.

The Wolves are still seeing the aftermath of this deal, and whether they get compensatory picks from the league is yet to be seen. David Kahn was forced to take Rubio; he didn’t expect him to be available when he drafted two point-guards. But now drafting Flynn isn’t such a dumb move is it? Flynn will have two-years under his belt by the time Rubio is NBA eligible, and by that time the Wolves will know exactly what kind of asset they have in the young prospect. Whether they bring in Rubio then, and bolster their lineup by trading Flynn at a premium, or keep both will be seen in two years. This was worst case scenario for the Timberwolves in the short term. In the long term it’s best for all parties.