Could Ricky Rubio's Buyout Hurt His Draft Stock?
By:
Alex Raskin
Last Updated: 5/20/09 3:09 PM ET
| 4790 times read
Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery didn't answer any questions about Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio's future. In fact, it may have added to them.
With the Los Angeles Clippers expected to use the first pick on Oklahoma's Blake Griffin (according head coach and general manger Mike Dunleavy), there is some real concern that the 18-year-old's buyout from Spain's DKV Joventut could push him out of the second spot.
Complicating matters is the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies, owners of that pick, drafted a point guard two years ago (Mike Conley).
"We're at a spot with the second pick and we are going to try and determine who the second best player is," said Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins after the lottery.
But what if the Grizzlies determine that Rubio is in fact the draft's second best player? Is his $8 million or so buyout going to stop a team from drafting him?
"I have no idea," responded Hollins. "I haven't talked to anybody about that."
One reason team representatives are trying to stay clear of the Rubio talk is because of the complicated nature of his buyout.
Rubio's signature is allegedly not on his current contract. As a 16-year-old, Rubio's parents signed his deal with DKV Joventut in his place. That distinction lends favor to Rubio and agent Dan Fegan.
However, DKV Joventut does have Rubio's signature on last season's addendum to the contract which gave the mop-topped point guard a pay raise. The team is trying to leverage that signature into either 6 million euros this season or as much as 10 million euros next season.
That's right. Rubio's buyout actually goes up next season, which means if the situation doesn't get resolved this year, it probably won't be resolved next season either. There is a remote possibility that Rubio doesn't arrive in the NBA until the 2011-2012 season.
According to one NBA agent "teams could definitely back off… The buyout itself is sticky."
Rubio and Fegan still fearlessly entered the draft this season and seem confident that a deal can be worked out. NBA rules stipulate that teams can only contribute $500,000 to a foreign player's buyout, which means Rubio will be paying the rest out of pocket. A lucrative marketing deal could soften the blow for the would-be rookie, but shoe deals have lulled with the economy.
Regardless, sources close to Rubio have told HOOPSWORLD that he will gain his release and remain in the draft class past the June 15 deadline for all withdrawals.
If Memphis does decide to pass on Rubio, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be a possibility at No. 3.
"I've only watched him a few times," said Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks. "I know that he's a very smart player who knows how to play the game, makes his teammates better but there are a lot of good players in the draft. We're happy today (because) we're going to get a good young player who is going to make us better."
When asked about Rubio's potential buyout, Thunder G.M. Sam Presti was as non-committal as everyone else at the NBA Entertainment Studios, Tuesday.
"All those things are so relative," he said. "I don't have all the necessary information, and that's something that, leading up to the draft, should become more clear."
One thing that is clear though is that the Thunder have the ability to make room for Rubio. Despite drafting UCLA's Russell Westbrook last year, Brooks can envision starting two point guards right next to each other.
"I played (Westbrook) at both spots (this season)," said Brooks. "He has improved every month. He understands that he has the ability to play both spots. He thinks like a point guard."
If the Thunder do decide to pass on Rubio as well, it is unlikely he would slip past the owners of the fourth pick, Sacramento.
About the Author: ALEX RASKIN
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Alex Raskin is HOOPSWORLD's senior Newslines Editor and also covers the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks for HOOPSWORLD. Alex also serves as a New York Giants Correspondent for CBSsports.com
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Comments (6 posted)
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posted By Kira, 20 May 2009 8:44:30 AM
This article is awesome. Thanks for finally doing a point-by-point of the Rubio situation, because no one else has been able to. Now I just hope the Knicks can trade up. They can't, of course, but you can imagine if they did. Eh? Eh?
posted By Thomas Jones, 20 May 2009 9:23:15 AM
Seconded - great article.
Is there any way to get around the buyout rules? Could a team effectively "pay" a sponsor as part of a separate agreement, and then have that sponsor hire Rubio at his buyout price? Why is there even a $500K limit for teams? I would figure the league would want the best players possible.
posted By justin, 20 May 2009 9:44:28 AM
I seriously believe ricky is going to go on and be a star but to the comment above me I do think the knicks can get down to in the draft the heave something a lot of teams want and that is loads of expiring contracts and could possibly ship duhon, chandler or even try something with nate robinson if possible. But this article was great and it showed a lot about the problems young players have with their first contract and in rickys case its having to pay for his own excellence
posted By thegenius, 20 May 2009 10:01:56 AM
i hope they will trade the 2nd pick to new york . pick rubio at 2 , HE and gallarini can help each other out there, their both smart players .
posted By Alex Raskin, 20 May 2009 12:23:03 PM
To the Genius: I doubt the Knicks can trade up to #2, but if he starts to fall, don't be surprised if they have a contingency plan to trade up one or two spots. Gallinari may actually be more of a "point forward." Coming into the NBA, he was known for his ball-handling and passing skills. If his back improves, don't be surprised to see if D'Antoni and Walsh try to put more of a scorer in the PG spot and run a lot of the offense through Danilo. This might be a few years down the road, but Gallinari has that basketball IQ that everyone seems to be talking about this time of year.
posted By Alex Raskin, 20 May 2009 12:25:03 PM
To Justin: I think Nate Robinson goes before Wilson Chandler. The Knicks would have to be blown away to give up on Chandler. They like him at 3 positions and his attitude is perfect. He's a humble, polite player who should be in New York for years to come.
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