A rival agent of Fegan’s predicted that Minnesota owner Glen Taylor would take a stubborn stance if Rubio tried to force the Wolves’ hand.
“He’s very thoughtful,” Walsh said of Kahn, “and I think you’d be wrong to judge him based on this because he probably has Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4 [already planned]. And he’s going into a situation that needs some change, and he’s looking at trying to change it, and he’ll do it in various ways — and the draft is the first step in this process.”
New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he plans to call Minnesota Timberwolves counterpart and David Kahn to ask about Ricky Rubio.
“I haven’t spoken to Minnesota; I will,” Walsh said today at a press conference to introduce draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas, according to the New York Post’s Web site. “He (Kahn) took a lot of point guards. I want to ask him why he did that. I just want to find that out.
Multiple sources have said that Rubio was not as highly-regarded by the Knicks as Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans and perhaps not as much as Hill, whom some Knick scouts touted as the second-best player in the draft. But if there is a chance Rubio — whose father told a Spanish media outlet that his son will most likely remain in Spain for two years (until his current contract with DKV Joventut expires) — could be acquired for a relatively cheap cost, it’s worth a look.
But before we explore the options, you should know that Kahn was on with Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio this morning and vehemently denied any intentions to trade Rubio. Kahn said he was quite aware that Rubio might decide not to report and that’s why he took Flynn with the very next pick. The T-Wolves can play Flynn now and take their time dealing with the Rubio situation.
Kahn’s reaction to Rubio’s ambivilance was very revealing. He had extensive words of praise for Rubio’s agent–a shameless and not unintelligent brown-nosing–commented on Rubio’s youth, said his franchise was fully in the “youth development business” and flatly stated that if any team “could afford to be patient, it’s us.”
Translation: Kahn really does think this roster needs to be taken down to the studs; really does envision this taking multiple drafts and free agencies. It’s an attitude that must infuriate the McHale stalwarts who heard their man quickening in his enthusiasm of the roster he had 2/3 constructed over the previous two years, backed up for a lucky but still solidly performed month of January.
Patience paid off for the Timberwolves, with Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio falling to No. 5. While there are issues about a buyout and youth, this is the perfect landing spot for the accomplished passer, a place where he can grow, either now or in coming seasons (and may not even arrive right away). The Wolves then made it back-to-back point guards, taking Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn at No. 6. It could come down to Flynn now, Rubio later. The Wolves followed up with North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson at No. 18, before moving him to Denver for a future pick. The Wolves stayed in Heels mode from there, taking guard Wayne Ellington, whose polish and shooting could help ease the growing pains of Minnesota’s other picks. Drop the grade, though, if it takes more than a year for Rubio to report. For now, the Wolves can wait.
5:01: The T-Wolves are on the clock with two straight; hopefully, they’re smart enough to take Rubio, or I’m going to pull out a can of whipped cream and do whip-its until I pass out. Of course, they just flashed the résumé of new GM David Kahn. It’s one for the ages. I threw one fake job in there just for comedy’s sake. See if you can find it…
5:10: So much for Minnesota doing the right thing. The Wolves just took Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn … whom I really like … but … well … he’s a point guard. Didn’t they just take Rubio? Did I black out? You’re going to have two young ball handlers playing together — one who’s 5-foot-11, the other who’s 18 years old and weighs 180 pounds (and 30 of that is his hair), and that’s your plan? Who’s guarding the Kobes and Vinces out of those two? Why didn’t they just take Curry? And why aren’t the ESPN guys wondering about a trade here or, at the very least, murdering this pick? THEY JUST TOOK TWO STRAIGHT POINT GUARDS!!!!!!!!!!
5:11: I’m in “Star Trek II” mode right now. “Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!!!!!!” So stupid. I’m never trusting a guy who worked as a TV consultant, a sports writer and a stadium campaign organizer to run an NBA team again.
The other question: If Kevin McHale had been around to draft Rubio, only to have him stay in Spain, how would Wolves’ fans be handling that news?
The draft is over for a rookie GM and a guy who has already carved out a reputation as a cagey veteran in just three years.
David Kahn says he’s happy with his abundance of point guards. Daryl Morey says he’s content with his trio of second-round picks.
