Rubio... Wants... Sacramento?
by Apoet on May 20, 2009 11:07 PM PDT
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“Rubio doesn’t want to go to Memphis, and he especially does not want to pay money out of his own pocket with that huge buyout for the honor of doing so. Fegan [Rubio’s agent] wants him in L.A., and if he can’t have him there, he wants him in Sacramento. Definitely not Oklahoma City. “
Unlike Griffin or Hasheem Thabeet, who don’t really have any choice where they will play next season if a team decides to play hardball, Rubio has a reasonably attractive alternative option at his disposal—returning to Spain.
“He’ll pull out if he doesn’t like what he’s hearing,” the NBA source tells us. “Or he can stay in and force the Grizzlies to call his bluff—would they really take him knowing that he may never come over? That’s one way to get him to fall to three.”
Fegan is already highly experienced in these matters, having unsuccessfully attempted to navigate fellow client Yi Jianlian towards the team of his choice in the 2007 draft, only to see Milwaukee foil his plans and pick him anyway. This time, though, he has a lot more leverage, as Rubio would likely have no problem staying in Badalona for another year or two or more if push came to shove. His buyout after all, is yet to be resolved, which in this case may actually be an advantage."
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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YES!!!!!!
Please twitter, email, fax, 1st class, 2nd class, priority and bulk mail this story to every basketball executive, coach, scout, news network, commentator, analyst, journalist, beat writer, blogger and blow hard (me).
In one news cycle he will Attila the Hun and everyone we be screaming at Memphis and OKC to pass him up.
BTW, Ricky . . . you will own this town.
by bignerd on May 20, 2009 11:47 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Great pic
someone needs to let that kids know that those two will be waiting at the Sac Airport when he lands
www.mancancook.net
Yeah, as if Rubio wants my sloppy seconds.
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
An empty bottle?
I think if he wants the chicks, he should stay in Spain.
by Sabonis4Ever on May 21, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think he'll ever have problems on that front regardless of where he's at
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Yeah
But Spanish chicks > American chicks
by Sabonis4Ever on May 21, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
That probably isn't the same
if you’ve been in Spain all your life.
"Greed is the inventor of injustice as well as the current enforcer." - Julian Casablancas
Disagree...
I’ve been to Spain, and I don’t think you get acclimated to fucking hot they are.
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 22, 2009 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions
So what you're saying is if you're ugly as sin
You got a chance at hot chicks cuz they’re just so many?
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Really
He would rather live in California than Memphis or Oklahoma City? No way….
"You can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head up a bulls ass, but wouldn't you rather take a butchers word for it?"
I Love This Guy.Period.
"Even when I’m old and grey, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game." — Michael Jordan
Go Kings!
This is the first time I've ever rooted for a player to be a spoiled brat.
Come on Ricky, if Memphis or OKC drafts you, take your toys and go home!
And you were just kidding about actually wanting to play for the Clippers….right?
Ricky will start here
That’s one of the reason why his agent wants him here! I’d never thought we’d be on the receiving end of this. Go Ricky! Kindly send him tweets that SacTown loves him as well. LOL!
He'd also be the face of the Franchise
Meaning more marketability and more money in the long term. In OKC, the franchise is Durant. Memphis is just a sucky place to be. They’ve also sort of got a franchise face in OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
The problem is his $ 8.2M buyout
So he need a huge market or being the face of the franchise. The best for him would be NY, if they trade David Lee (Restricted Free Agent) an the #8 pick to Memphis.
Memphis sucks and OKC is a Small market with a huge star. Sacramento could have a shot but being the franchise with the lowest attendance this season doesn’t help.
Ugh
I hope this is b.s. It’s distasteful if true, and disrespectful to the fans in Memphis.
I’d love to have Rubio as much as the next guy, but if you’re going to put your name in for the NBA draft, in anticipation of making MILLIONS of dollars, you should pay your dues with whichever team picks you. There will be a time down the road you can pick and choose where to go, if that’s what you want.
Pretty thin sourcing on this story as well.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
by otis29 on May 21, 2009 6:38 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It seems to be more his agent, but can you blame him for not wanting to play in Memphis
with several of his fellow Spanish National Teammates not finding much success there?
www.mancancook.net
And not just spanish guys
Memphis is a team on sale, with an owner who just cares about saving money.
Who wants to be on a team that doesn’t want to compete?
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
You Mean
The Kings ??
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
a little late
but I meant the Grizzlies, a team on sale whose best players just care about their stats
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Financial Issues
He wont get enough money to pay for his buyout on the first two years.
He needs exposure more than anyone to get some extra money.
It’s easily to understand, if he’s going to PAY to get to the NBA he can get picky. If not, he can be fine in Europe being a star and so
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
The NBA has rules
Just because he has a buyout to deal with doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to go through the draft like everyone else.
I guess it’s ok for a new player to the league to dictate where he goes as long as it’s to Sacramento, eh?
Question: What kind of bear is best?
yes
Bears. Beats. BattleStar Galactica.
Donte? Donte'! Donté?!?!
'spect da 'xtra E'
by iashwash on May 21, 2009 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Beats
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on May 21, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
It's a business
Negotiations happen. Why shouldn’t Rubio(‘s agent) try to use what leverage he has? Who knows if this story is true, but the idea that he’s saying that he might prefer to play out his contract with his current team instead of playing for Memphis or OKC isn’t at all unethical. Of course he should have the right to throw that spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks. I’d be bummed if I was a Memphis or OKC fan who lost out on him, but I wouldn’t blame RR or his agent, I’d blame my own team’s management.
Everything you say is true
And I see both sides of it. All I know is if Rubio’s camp came out and said “Sacramento don’t bother trading up for us because I won’t report”, we’d be pretty pissed.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
I think Memphis fans get a raw deal here honestly
But, to be honest, I think Memphis has a legitimate question of Rubio vs Conley anyway.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I would have serious concerns too
about playing for that unstable of a franchise if the demand for my services was as high as Rubio’s.
That would be
(and was when Webber did it) the most frustrating thing ever. But I don’t blame the player for looking out for number 1 in this instance.
He can look out for #1 all he likes
But if he wants to play in the NBA, I think he should play by their rules.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
I think
The rules aren’t static. It’s a constant tug-of-war between labor and capital, and Rubio’s just flexing his muscles to see if he can get Memphis and OKC to flinch.
Think about all of the ways that labor relations have changed since the NBA’s creation. This is just another moment when an agent thinks that his client has the power to buck the system. Maybe it will work, and the rules will change. More likely, it’ll work to a certain extent and the involved parties will meet in the middle.
I can't disagree with any of your points
Can you agree if Rubio’s agent had said “Sacramento shouldn’t bother to pick Ricky because he might not report” that most of us here would be pissed off?
One of the intentions of the draft is to allow the weaker sisters of the league to have a shot at upper-level talent that they might not otherwise be able to procure. If you feel it’s ok for certain draftees to bypass that system, why have a draft at all? Make them all free agents from day one. Then dissolve the less attractive franchises and be done with it.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
Like I said
I do agree that it would totally suck to be on the other end of this. But that doesn’t make Rubio, or his camp, in the wrong. I appreciate the value of the draft’s goal of giving the best talent to the teams most in need. But it’s not like he’s saying “I’ll only play for the Lakers or Knicks” he’s just using his negotiating power to put himself in what he sees as the best possible position.
In other words, I don’t think that some players should be able to bypass the system entirely just because they have more clout than others. But I also don’t think that the NBA should have 100% control over players. Negotiation needs to take place until a compromise is agreed upon. Rubio’s camp just made the first move in the negotiation.
Yeah, but
One of the intentions of the draft is to allow the weaker sisters of the league to have a shot at upper-level talent that they might not otherwise be able to procure.
This being the case, and Sacramento being the WEAKEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE, I really don’t have a huge problem with it.
Call it selfish, or only wanting the rules to apply when they don’t hurt us, but we need something good to happen for the sake of the fans, therefore the franchise, therefore the arena.
Ricky Rubio in Sacramento might be the answer to every question the Kings face right now.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 21, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I get it...
I see you’re side on this. BUT this isn’t any different than the Eli Manning thing a few years ago…
So in my opinion if it’s OK for NY than I’m on board with Ricky and I think it’s cool he wants to come to SAC!!!
Otis, COME TO THE DARK SIDE>
by Noble_Bloodlines on May 21, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, the NBA has rules
but there are also professional leagues in Europe. Are you suggesting that Josh Childress should not have been allowed to go play in Europe? If it’s ok for him to go play there rather than give in to the NBA’s rules, why is it wrong for Rubio to choose not to play in the NBA if he doesn’t like the situation waiting for him over here.
There is a long history of this type of thing. Billy Owens, John Elway, Kobe are just 3 off the top of my head.
I don’t think this means he’ll fall to us at #4. I’m afraid being picked 4th may not get him enough money to come over, so it’s likely he’ll just pull out of the draft. What it could do is open up the door for us to trade up a little wider, but it’s still not likely.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on May 21, 2009 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions
No
Not after they said publicly that they’re drafting Griffin.
Even Dunleavy’s not that stupid.
Ok, people, let's generate all the good Karma we can until May 19. Then you can go back to your shallow and empty lifestyles.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 21, 2009 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I'll believe it when I see it.
When, in the history of the world, has anyone ever traded the #1 pick before draft day?
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 21, 2009 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I definitely don't see that happening
But I could imagine multiple draft-day trades involving the top 4
He can stay over there if he likes
I don’t mind if he chooses not to play in the NBA this season. As long as he pulls out of the draft first.
Everyone has to go through the drafting process at least once. Ricky Rubio should be no different.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
So, if he doesn't pull out of the draft
and he stays over there for a season or two, that’d be wrong? Why does he have to pull out of the draft 1st? I don’t understand where you’re coming from.
What if some European team offered Blake 10 mil per for 5 years. If I’m him looking at being enslaved by the Clippers for 5 years and 25 mil, I’d seriously consider an offer like that. Is that wrong? What about Herschel Walker playing in the USFL?
Yeah, if he wants to play in the NBA he’ll have to be drafted, but just because he’s drafted doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy if he choses not to come over.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on May 21, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
What's not to understand?
I’m just saying that if he intends to be an NBA player, he should go through the draft – and not dictate what teams should or should not draft him. After his rookie contract expires, he and his agent should have an opportunity to shop him around the league.
The whole intention of the draft setup is to allow the weaker sisters of the league a better chance at a premier player.
In your Griffin scenario, that would be distasteful as well. But if he gets drafted, goes to Europe then comes back in 5 years, he’d still be the property of the Clippers right?
And what’s to stop every decent player coming out from saying “I don’t want to play for Sacramento, Memphis or Oklahoma City, so I’m going to explore other options”? You might as well start NBA contraction at that point.
This is just my opinion Kfan. I’m not saying he and his agent can’t finagle their way out of being drafted by Memphis, they clearly have some options to do so.
I just think if you switched Memphis and Sacramento in this scenario, we’d all be pretty pissed off. But since it might benefit us, we are willing to condone some bad behavior.
And I want to also emphasize a part of my first post in this whole thread – this is pretty thinly sourced information. It might be complete b.s.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
The most intriguing point of all this Otis
Is that Rubio considers Sacramento an intriguing destination. There’s nothing more desirable about Sacramento than Memphis, other than it’s closer to San Francisco and Reno, and I’m pretty sure Rubio probably doesn’t realize any of that.
There is a perception here, and Rubio doesn’t want to go to Memphis for a reason. I don’t think it’s because he has something against “Memphis”.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
something weird with my internet.
That’s supposed to be a response to ExG. I was going to say here that he might dislike Memphis from talking to Pau.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
That's what I was aiming for
Then, I wonder if it could be from Marc Gasol. He knows both after all.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Or both
Or the seemingly 4,134 other Spanish players that have played for the Grizzlies.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
I think Gasol fits in well with Memphis though
Doesn’t anybody else think it’s ironic that the Lakers had the right to Marc and gave them up to trade for Pau?
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Yes I thought it was humorous when I found out.
I’m still pissed at Memphis for doing it though. Redacted shouldn’t be given crap like that.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
Dude, have you been to Memphis?
Sacramento is way more desirable.
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
No I haven't
But I have no reason to look down upon Memphis either. Time to go to class.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I know a lot of people who love the city
It’s the basketball franchise that Rubio and Fegan would and should be worried about.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
Dammit...link didn't attach.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/memphis/59372-why-crime-so-high-memphis.html
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Give me a break
Sacramento has crime too.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Yeah, it may be b.s.
The situation was reversed when we drafted Billy Owens. I proceeded to hate Billy Owens and life went on.
I still don’t really understand your position. Are you saying all draft picks should not talk about their possible destination, unless they are giving the prepackaged “I’m a god loving all-American boy” answer?
Something like, “I’d be honored to play for the Clippers. I just want to play hard and God willing, I’ll be able to contribute and we can show some improvement next season.”
Maybe, I’m just reading too much into your opposition. You say “distasteful”, that doesn’t sound so bad. And I probably agree with you if that means, “That’s kind of a dick move.” But, if you’re saying he shouldn’t be allowed to do what he’s doing then I completely disagree.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on May 21, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
The NBA has rules...
…that allow him to stay in Spain (especially if he can’t pay his buyout). He’s not breaking the rules, he is just playing his cards.
Completely agree
I hate when this happen, if it is true.
There is karma to these kind of things look at Francis, Steve who is out of the NBA after being an all-star and there is Jianlian, Yi who is a bust.
Let’s forget Danny Ferry who didn’t want to play in LA, he’s a complete bust at no. 2
BOOK IT!
Remember Eli Manning. I hated that guy after the tantrum he threw, but he wasn’t a bust.
by cbsf on May 21, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
And that all actually worked out pretty well for my Chargers
:)
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd rather have Eli
than Rivers.
But we did get Merriman and Castillo out of the deal!
Blessings.Love.Peace
by lifestyleforthesellout on May 21, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Exactly
Merrimanand Rivers to me, are better than only Eli.
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 22, 2009 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Really, Otis? I'm not shedding a tear for either Memphis or OKC
Memphis should no longer be involved in league after the Pau Gasol trade to the Lakers. That deal stunk to high hell and the entire Western Conference has suffered because of the injustice. Memphis has no fans and no hope for a good, self-inflicted reasons. Let them suffer and let them learn.
I was around when Billy Owens refused to play in Sacramento. He had good reason. Lukenbill was only interested in running a profitable franchise off a shoestring budget so completely ignored his basketball guys if a moved involved any financial risk. Hence we were an awful, plague of a franchise for well over a decade.
OKC isn’t exactly on the up and up either. They have lots of young, great talent they have acquired from high draft picks the last few years. They are in a far better position than most franchises. There is record is so bad because they refuse to fill their roster in with role players to help them win. Instead, they stay artificially bad so they can continue to stockpile more top draft picks.
I might feel a little bad if Rubio’s agent was attacking the Clippers because that franchise has tried to win and compete over the last 5 years. They had a good nucleus and lost it because of injury. They spent big money bringing Baron Davis than their franchise guy, Elton Brand turned his back on them. Even then, they didn’t give up. They took big risks bringing in Camby and Zach Randolph.
Really, I’m not sticking up for either franchise. It’s questionable whether either of them are actually playing by the spirit of the rules. If Rubio, wants to stick it back to them than I am on board.
Fair enough
It just sounds like a huge rationalization. And I could easily see these other franchises saying the same thing about Sacramento.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
Yes rationalization
So is telling the guy he has to be a good solider and has career suffer through the process.
Suffer?
He’s going to be making good money, and at the end of his rookie contract (what will he be, 22 or 23?), he will be in line for a rather large payday.
Please lord, let my career suffer so.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
the thing is
He has to pay the buyout. It’s not something optional, something you can just take out of the table. He won’t be getting enought just with his rookie contract, definetly not if he falls to the 4th pick, he needs more money, and he can only get that if he plays a lot or if he is on a big market (Sacramento and LA), in Memphis he won’t be playing that much and the market stinks, same for Oklahoma.
No offense here, but as some of you have said, Sacramento is not a big market, not a very attractive city under that point of view, it’s not like he’s choosing which city fits him better, he’s trying to avoid bankrupt (ok, i’m getting off the point here hehe).
But
He’s going to get a fat endorsement contract with Nike most likely. I think he will be fine.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
He already has a contract with Nike
The buyout is 6M Euros ($ 8.2M), as far as I know. No way he can pay that with his salary (remember the taxes).
He has a contract with Nike since he was near 15yo. So you can’t count on this contract to pay the buyout (I don’t think Nike pay too much to a 15yo boy).
He really needs extra incomes to play in the NBA, his finance situation is way too complicated. If he doesn’t land in the proper franchise it’ll be difficult to play in the US after his contract with DKV is over.
Memphis and OKC can blame Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan for dropping the value of the dollar as a currency if they want… or just cry like babies.
And you don't think Nike
Would be willing to modify his deal since he’s heading to the NBA? They would rather have him playing in Europe than the U.S.? Not likely.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
They will do it
But the problem is, how much? Ricky’s marketing impact depends on the franchise he lands. If he play in OKC he won’t be the reference and it is a small market, Memphis is also a small market, and although they don’t have Kevin Durant, they have Mayo and Gay. Sponsor will only pay big money for his buyout if he is the franchise player in a small/medium market or an important player in a big market. I do think that they would rather have him playing in Europe than Memphis or OKC (if they have to pay too much money). Nike has also to sell its products in Europe.
I dunno
Maybe it’s apples and oranges, but Nike didn’t have a problem marketing LeBron James even though he went to Cleveland.
I guess it boils down to the impact of Rubio’s popularity in the states, regardless of where he lands. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens with the buyout.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
He's already signed with Nike from what I've heard and...
Rubio has a legal case to fight the buy-out clause in his contract. Would a judge allow a 6.4 million dollar buyout on a 120,000 euro contract? If Rubio wants to take his Spanish team to court I think he would win but I think he will be able to cut that buy-out in half through negotiations- add to that his rookie contract and endorsements and I think he will do just fine financially- much better than the 120,000 euros he currently makes.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
No, he would not win at court.
In Spain (Europe in general) the buyout is paid by the team who is buying the player, not by the player himself.
i.e., Lionel Messi, the soccer player from F.C. Barcelona, has a buyout clause of 150Million euros.
But when a team wants to buy a player, normally they negociate this buyout with the team that owns the player’s contract.
And it’s completely independent on the player’s salary. So, in this case, Rubio would not win any court case.
Since it’s not legal at NBA that a buyout is paid by a team, in this case is Rubio who has to pay it.
What he can do, is to negociate his buyout, like Pau an Marc Gasol did.
Last year, when Juan Carlos Navarro wanted to go to play in the NBA, he negociated with his team (Barcelona) his buyout, lowering it from 10 million euros to 3.5 millions, with 3 years to pay, and with the comminment that if he return to Spain he will be a Barcelona’s player again. He went to Memphis, played for a year, and returned to Barcelona again.
I hope Rubio can negociate his buyout with his actual team, so they make it less and give him some extra years to pay it.
Oh my
I’d feel better if this was coming directly from Fegan or even Rubio himself, but still cool. I suggest we all get our hopes up really really really reallyreallyreally high again!
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
But
I thought if you played for Memphis and were remotely decent, you ended up with the Lakers, anyway.
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen.
by andy sims on May 21, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Chris Wallace, Memphis' GM
Is also going to watch Rubio this Saturday.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
This is a key point furious.
Petrie is a true professional in every sense of the word. When he walks into a room, the room takes notice. He also a reputation with foreign player success, as does the city of Sacramento. Call me crazy (which I know some one will) but this team is not that far away from being a playoff team with the right draft pick and a guy like Rubio might be able to capture the franchise savior tag if he plays up to his abilities.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
Agreed...
I like Spencer, Jason, Martin, and I even see Nocioni as being our stopper off the bench… With Rubio, I think Kevin Martin would improve tremendously.
Also, if we do get Rubio… How about making a run at Turk this free-agency?
Does anyone else like the sound of: Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Thompson, and Spencer Hawes?
With Beno, Garcia, Greene, Nocioni, and picks 23 & 31 off the bench??? Who knows, maybe someone will even take Beno’s contract off our hands if we toss in Kenny Thomas’ with it.
With a decent coach, things may not be as bad as they felt a few days ago…
by Noble_Bloodlines on May 21, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Enough with the Hedo love
He’s going to be on the downswing of his career. He’s 30 or 31. I love the guy but he’s not worth getting for a rebuilding team.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
With...
Rubio and Hedo you’re not really rebuilding anymore… We’d be pretty good. Then sign one more in 2010 or make a trade and it’s off to the races!
Something just tells me Martin would explode with Rubio at the point.
by Noble_Bloodlines on May 21, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree about the rebuild but there wouldn't be much left to sign a 2010 player with.
Hedo has been amazing for the Magic- you could even make the case that the team lives and dies by his play. But the only way I see Hedo making his way here is if Petrie could deal either Noc or Garcia- which I don’t see many takers for. Maybe Orlando would take Noc in a sign and trade which would save Orlando a 2-3 million a year while (Kings can take on more salary than goes out) keeping their core in place, but I doubt it.
Hot dogs, get your hot dogs.
Good points...
I will have to look up our cap #, but if we keep Kenny Thomas, that’s $10 mil right there. Also, don’t we have 2 or 3 small contracts ending as well?
Anyone with a good site for this info? Thanks…
by Noble_Bloodlines on May 22, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
The Kings are at 45.3 million before the draft picks
But, umm, that’s in my head.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 22, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'd ignore this
If you remember Yi Jianlian, he tried to do something similar. He ended up in Milwaukee, and now, he’s forgotten. So, in a sense, maybe Rubio and Fegan want to think about this.
I don’t think Rubio is Jianlian, though. Rubio is more likely to pull out of the draft because there isn’t a team he wants to go to. However, he’s likely to be picked top 2 or 3 this draft because he’s the 2nd best player.
To tell you the truth, I’m not surprised this happened with Dan Fegan being his agent. I had forgotten Yi Jianlian was his client. Go figure. Fegan is a hardliner, and always has been. His hardline tactics don’t scare teams anymore, though.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I don't know much about Yi's exit from Milwaukee
But it seems noteworthy that Yi is now in a major market with a huge Chinese population. You have to think that Fegan had something to do with that. It’s all well and good to thumb your nose at an agent, but if his player genuinely isn’t satisfied playing for you, the team is going to realize it needs to cut its losses sooner rather than later.
Eh, hopefully Geoff thinks Rubio is our guy,
it would nice to have an exciting distributor on our team once again. Thankfully unlike White Chocolate, Rubio doesn’t think he needs to take random threes after he passes midcourt.
Eh I disagree a bit pookey, Rubio’s buyout goes up after this year so if he stays for a year he’ll likely stay for two. It goes up from 6 million euros to 10 million euros, Rubio is a competitive guy but he is still very young, maybe he figures the difference between coming over at 18 as opposed to 20 doesn’t bother him. Yi was playing for China where he wasn’t making that much money and didn’t have a buyout, these are two distinctly different cases.
There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru
Mo
I don’t know what his buyout figure, but it keeps changing in the media. It’s hard to get a clear read on what the exact figure is.
I’ve assumed that a good high guess is that it would be around 7 million euro’s, which comes out to about 9 million dollars.
There is a point that people have forgotten, which is the Kings can pay 500K of the buyout as well.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
It has come out recently that the buyout increases next year
before that it had been reported that it went down. There is also the issue of his first contract which his parents signed and the extension which he signed, meaning the question is: Is his contract enforceable?
I agree with Otis’s first point;this is a very thinly sourced story.
"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley
Yep
But Jonathan Givony just doesn’t say what he wants BJ.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
The buyout increases next year
but he has an offer from DKV to lower it if he stays another year. I suppose it depends on how weak/strong becomes Ricky’s position near draft night. If Ricky has a chance to join the NBA DKV will keep the offer to lower the buyout, if the economic issues make impossible for Ricky to join the NBA DKV will do nothing and Ricky will have to end his contract with them.
Regarding if his contract is enforceable I don’t count on it, but it would be great for him.
Can't Blame Either for Wanting to Choose Where They Live
I won’t commute to Jersey for a job and my labor capital is pretty freakin low. If I were one of the best basketball prospects in the world you should damn well bet that I would be setting some boundaries on where I would be willing to live. As many of you have already said, “The NBA is a business.” I don’t see how shunning the unwritten rules set forward by a powerful governing body is so unethical. The rules are only followed because said governing body has something players want that they don’t think they can get if they don’t do what the body tells them to do. So what if Rubio may have more market power than the average player.
I think Rubio doesn't think he's a good fit in Memphis
After all with Gay, Mayo and Gasol there, he’s probably not the player they really need there.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Is it right? No. Am I ok with it? Hell yes.
Lets be real, the Kings have been the red-headed step child of the league for years. We never get the calls, never get the lucky breaks… Its time for something to work out for us. Sadly, that may mean things dont work out fairly for some other team.
If strong-arming Memphis and OKC leads Rubio to us, so be it. I am on board.
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
by 27freethrows on May 21, 2009 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It seems like
This is more a marketing prediction than anything else. Rubio’s people know how marketable he is. I remember reading my first article about him in SLAM when he was about to turn 16 (I think). His youtube videos are everywhere. The kid is a legend waiting to happen. But he’d have a smaller share of the spotlight in Memphis or OKC. In Sacramento, he has a chance to be the face of the franchise. That’s no slight to Kevin Martin, it’s just a fact. If RR wants to come to Sacramento, it’s because he knows that the franchise and its fans would be thrilled to hand him the keys to the castle from day one.
Natt it
I was just going to post the same thing.
OKC doesn’t work for Fegan because Rubio can’t become the “franchise” since Durant is already there, with Westbrook playing point.
Memphis doesn’t work because its in a bad place, and OJ Mayo is their “franchise”. Also Mike Conley.
Sacramento works really well because they need a point guard, has a large Spanish speaking population, and the opportunity to become the “franchise” really quick.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
Yeah
That would be where I’m at it with it. Good call furious & Aykis.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Right
It could just be a tactic for trying to get the Grizz to shop Conley. Or OKC to move Westbrook to the 2. They might be making grand statements to get smaller concessions. Or maybe it’s just a fabricated rumor. Anyway, I’m glad to have the hope for RR back in my heart.
I had it the moment the order was announced
That was best case scenario for order for us.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
I did too
I always felt that it was possible the Kings could still move up from 4 to 2. I’m still intrigued by the possibilities.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
My 2 cents
First let me say that I agree with Otis to a degree. I think it’s shady to pick wher you want to go and if he said he didn’t want to come to Sacramento we would all be pissed. At the same time, and this a personal opinion of course, I would understand that Rubio is in a different situation and he needs to look out for his best interest, especially with his buyout situation. If he said he didn’t want to come to Sac I would pissed but I would understand (a little).
Hearing is the other way around and he would like (or his agent would like him) to be in Sacramento, I’m all for it. Like 27FTs said, the Kings never get a break, never get lucky. Just look at the lottery… we just never seem to get a good lucky break. This could be our chance. Sucks for Memphis and OKC, but it has sucked for us in the past too. Just read furious and aykis posts above and it could have a lot to do with that. This could become Rubio’s team while that won’t happen in other teams, especially OKC.
That being said, I also believe that this is not necessarily Rubio saying he wants to fall to 4th because that won’t help with his buyout. This is a shoutout to the Kings saying “hey, I’m down to playing for you guys. Make it happen.” Having reassurance that Rubio would come to Sac would give the front office a big incentive to trade up for him. We want him (assuming the Kings do), he wants to be here, get to work Geoff!!
by eduardo_m7 on May 21, 2009 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Well said
Looks like Rubio will still go at the #2 spot or #3 spot IMO. It’s just a matter of who’s picking at that point.
But I’m guessing we would be giving up one of our other draft picks for the privilege of picking Rubio. At least, that would make sense IF Memphis/OKC don’t want to draft Rubio and the Kings feel they have to have him.
Question: What kind of bear is best?
Totally agree
If his agent really put this out there, it just makes our negotiations for trading up all the easier.
It would be pretty simple, don't you think?
Kings trade #4, 31 & K9 to Memphis for #2, 35 & Jaric. MEM gets cap relief/valuable trade chip in K9’s expiring contract, plus moves up in second round. We get Rubio, and um, her…
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Sorry guys, I'm struggling today w/ the links, etc.
"It would be my honor to be your new stepfather."
by PhutureKings on May 21, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
I give this...
A STANDING OVATION!!!!!!!!!!!
Sac’s own version of Eva? The Maloof’s better get her court side seats! I want at least 4 cuts from Katie to her between each commercial break, LOL!
by Noble_Bloodlines on May 21, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I approve Phuture
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
You guys are so weak.
Shallow and weak.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 21, 2009 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
And proud of it
BOOOBIES!
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 21, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
We are celebrating the power of women
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
by 27freethrows on May 21, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Not at all
I am simply demonstrating my incredible gift for stating the obvious.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 22, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
You're just jealous cuz you're not a lezzie
You know that’s what it is LPA.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
It's not about choosing a team
It’s a need for him and his family.
Remember he’s 18, and is under contract in Spain.
About his buyout, if he pays before the 30th of June, it’ll be around 6.5M$
If he gets picked 2nd, he’ll get about 7.7M$ for his first two years, but then are taxes, agent and cost of living for 2 years, probably with his parents coming over and probably not working, so it’d be more like 3.5M$ if he doesn’t spend more than necessary.
This guy will lose at least 3 million dollars to play in the NBA (2.5M$ counting with the 500K buyout help from the team).
If he doesn’t feel it’s the best thing to do he doesn’t have to come to the NBA.
It’s not like Yi or Francis… He has to do a big sacrifice to come to the NBA, and of course, if he feels he’s on the short end he can stay in Spain for the two years remaining on his contract and come then.
His agent isn’t saying he won’t play for certain teams. He’s saying that he needs a situation that would help him get enough money if he comes now, and I totally understand.
He wouldn’t be in the ads if he went to OKC, and he won’t have a chance to do his thing in Memphis, where they have 2 guys who shoot everyt ball they touch.
So the translation would be:
Dan Fegan:
Ricky is only coming this year to a situation where he has a chance to lose less than 2 million dollars over the next two years
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
by DaniBCN on May 21, 2009 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Well said Dani
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
I wouldn't worry about his buyout.
He should deal with Nike to pay it. They are going to make a gazillion dollars off him anyway.
Isn’t Fegan a great name for an agent? It should be spelled Fagan. Do Dickensesque.
Rubio's Market
“La Pistola” is not only going to have an American market, but also a market bigger than any Euro player at entry to the NBA. He is big bucks no matter how you cut it, and the Maloofs(with no lack of credibility) and Nike no that it is coming.
Come for the basketball, stay for the food!
Maybe he wants to come here because he’s heard about our excellent Spanish restaurants. Aioli Bodega is one of the best restaurants in town, in my opinion. Their mussels are phenomenal (and I know good mussels). I’ve never been to Tapa the World, but I have it on good authority that their food is pretty tasty as well.
And to think, all these wild speculations and accusations just because the kid likes a good paella. And who can blame him. Fegan is just looking out for the best interests of his client’s stomach.
by AnotherStupidSN on May 22, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions
Tapa's open late too
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Indeed
Plus he can call me anytime day or night and I’ll cook him whatever the hell he wants. Except that I only cook like 4 different things. Just don’t tell him that until after he gets here.
by AnotherStupidSN on May 22, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
No problem
It’s out lil secret.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Rick Rick
We’ll have to see what happens after today…..I guess Memphis flew out to take a look at him. Let’s hope they missed that flight!!
by Napoloean's Tots on May 22, 2009 4:22 PM PDT reply actions
He had a bad game
and he knew Clippers and Grizzlies GM’s were there ;)
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Only in the US
Is there an amateur draft of college students. In the rest of the world, a player can choose where he wants to play and get the most for his services. It’s called a free market. Sad that the NBA has created a method to squash the young players making money and STILL find a way to push the best players to the BIG market teams under the GUISE of fairness. What a load of shite.
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
Free Market?
Psh, that’s un-american we’re capitalists here! On a more serious note, Could the Kings trade for the young player they want, or just the NBA not recognize int’l teams? I can’t find reference to this in the CBA at all, and I have spent a good chunk of time here looking. (I also am completely tanked, so words don’t necessarily make sense,) I know it references amateurs, but aren’t the Euro leagues technically professional?
You have to draft a player up until he's 25 years old
You can automatically draft a player after he’s 22 years old if he’s playing professionally in the European Leagues.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
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