NBA: Timberwolves pick Rubio to leave Spanish club
Associated Press
GERONA, Spain � Ricky Rubio plans to part ways with Spanish basketball club DKV Joventut even if the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot reach a deal to bring their first round draft pick to the NBA.
Timberwolves president David Kahn was in Spain this week to try and help the fifth overall pick negotiate a buyout of his contract with Joventut. Rubio is at odds with his boyhood club over an $8.2 million buyout clause, which the NBA team can only contribute $500,000 toward.
Regardless of whether the 18-year-old Rubio makes the trip across the Atlantic next season, he won�t be playing at Joventut.
�I want to continue with the club but, after everything that�s happened, I don�t think they�re too comfortable having me in their squad,� Rubio said Wednesday. �I want to play in a winning team, on a team that can achieve many things.�
Spanish basketball clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in signing Rubio if he cannot make it to the NBA this season.