NBA Free Agents: What Team Will Ricky Rubio Play for in 2011?
At the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves had four picks in the first round alone, including both the fifth and sixth. With the fifth overall pick, the team selected guard Ricky Rubio from Spain's DKV Joventut. At 6'3" and only 18 years old at the time, Rubio was scouted as someone who with time could become a decent passer and electrifying three-point shooter on the NBA level.
Yet, soon after the draft, rumors swirled that Rubio would remain in Spain. The Timberwolves were having issues buying out his contract with Joventut and a deal was supposedly in place, but Rubio opted to stay in Europe to "be better prepared for the NBA."
Of course, speculation then began that Rubio simply did not want to play in a market as small as Minnesota, despite him saying otherwise. He soon signed a six-year contract with Barcelona, though the deal allows him to join the NBA following the 2010-2011 season.
With the possibility of Rubio entering the NBA next season, here are six teams that he could wind up playing for in 2011.
No. 6: Minnesota Timberwolves
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Now, despite him saying how Minnesota was his first choice, I'm not buying what Ricky Rubio said. If he truly desired to play for the Timberwolves, he would have been in the NBA already and not chosen to stay in Spain. Given the situation of the team, I don't blame him.
Since Kurt Rambis (pictured at left) started coaching the team in 2009, Minnesota has gone 32-132. That's a winning percentage of .195. Chances are that Rubio would have been the face of the franchise if he put on a Minnesota uniform and given new life to a team that needed a fresh young star.
Instead, Rubio is still playing ball in Europe and the Timberwolves have become the laughingstock of the NBA as a result. Still, the team holds his rights and depending on what happens draft day, perhaps he will join his teammates this season.
No. 5: Los Angeles Clippers
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The Los Angeles Clippers may also be a bad team, but they have a much brighter future than Minnesota. On top of that, Los Angeles is a huge basketball market and Rubio could be a great fit there. Yet, while the Clippers do have a talented squad that already features Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, the reason Rubio should consider playing for them is head coach Vinny Del Negro.
Del Negro is still relatively green in terms of coaching experience, going 114-132 in three years (two with Chicago, one in Los Angeles). However, he would be a great coach for Rubio in the fact that he knows the European approach to basketball. For two seasons, Del Negro played in Italy for Benetton Treviso (1990-1992) plus four games for Teamsystem Bologna in 1999.
Combine that with his being a former NBA player, and Del Negro could help Rubio adjust to the NBA and reach his full potential with the Clippers.
No. 4: Atlanta Hawks
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If there's one thing I've noticed about European basketball in years of watching the Olympics, it's that it's truly a team game. Unlike Team USA, which is stacked with superstars, European teams have players who bring their own specific talents onto the court. Given that being the system Rubio is used to, the Atlanta Hawks would be a prime team for him.
As I've said time and time again, the Hawks easily have the most dangerous starting five in the NBA. That starting lineup features a great shooter in Joe Johnson, an unbelievable offensive and defensive threat in Josh Smith (pictured at left), as well as a talented big man in Al Horford. The only missing piece of the puzzle with them is a top young point guard and should he somehow end up in Atlanta, he would blossom into a perennial All-Star.
Each of Atlanta's starters has great leadership qualities and if/when Rubio arrives in the NBA, he will need a mentor almost immediately. In Atlanta, he would have an unfair advantage over the rest of the rookies in the league. While they would probably only have one mentor, Rubio would have at least three amazing ones.
No. 3: Phoenix Suns
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Ever since Mike D'Antoni became the team's coach in 2003, the Phoenix Suns have employed a high speed run-and-gun offense. In some circles, it is called "seven seconds or less." D'Antoni left Phoenix to coach the New York Knicks in 2008, but his Euroleague-like system remains in Phoenix and the Suns remain one of the top offensive teams in the NBA.
Given the team's style of play, Rubio wouldn't have much of an adjustment were he to find himself on the Suns' roster. He would most likely serve as the backup point guard to Steve Nash, who would be an amazing mentor to the young man from Spain.
Throw in coach Alvin Gentry, who does a great job with young players, and Rubio has a bright future on the Suns.
No. 2: New York Knicks
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As good as Chauncey Billups is, he's getting old. On top of that, he doesn't seem to understand that in order for Mike D'Antoni's system to work, he actually has to pass the ball. Given Rubio will be 21 years old at the start of next season and Coach D's knowledge of European-style basketball (he played for Olimpia Milano from 1978-1990), the Knicks would be a perfect fit.
More importantly, I think it's pretty clear that Rubio would prefer to play in a large-market team. In the NBA, that doesn't get any bigger than New York. If he could score an endorsement deal or two and slowly be inserted into the starting lineup, plus have lots of patience from team management, Ricky Rubio could easily become a great point guard in New York Knicks history.
No. 1: Barcelona
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As fun as it would be to watch Rubio play for all of the aforementioned teams, we must still face the harsh reality. He is under contract with Barcelona for another four seasons and ultimately, it's his choice as to whether or not he enters the NBA. While he has just as much potential to become the next top NBA point guard, he has the same amount of potential to become the next Fran Vazquez.
That being said, unless Minnesota can negotiate a buyout with Barcelona and possibly trade Rubio's rights to a larger-market team, I don't see the young guard playing anywhere except in Spain next season. Also, let's not forget that the current collective bargaining agreement allows an NBA team to contribute only $500,000 towards an international player's buyout. Assuming that clause carries over into the new CBA, and Minnesota could have a hard time negotiating with Barcelona.
Thus, at least at this point, Barcelona is the team Rubio is most likely to play for in 2011. Here's hoping that NBA fans will soon be able to see his talents regularly!
