Ricky Rubio, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ top draft pick last month, told the team shortly after the draft in a private meeting in Minneapolis that he’s prepared to play in Minnesota next season if he and his agent can change the buyout with his Spanish DKV Joventut team.
That buyout has reportedly increased recently from $6.6 million to $7.7 million.
The Wolves have no intention of trading Rubio, 18, who was the No. 5 overall pick in June’s draft. One avenue for paying the buyout for Rubio is through commercial endorsements and a loan from a bank that would be paid back over several years from his NBA earnings.