MINNEAPOLIS – Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has agreed to join the Minnesota Timberwolves next NBA season, ending a two-year negotiation with the team that had a few stops and starts.
A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that Rubio will play in the NBA next season. The person requested anonymity because neither Rubio nor the Timberwolves planned to make an official announcement while he continues to play for Regal Barcelona in the Euroleague playoffs.
The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall two years ago despite a buyout of his Spanish contract that topped $6 million. The enormity of the buyout caused Rubio to stay overseas rather than immediately come to the NBA, and there was talk that the precocious teenager did not want to play in Minnesota.
The current labor uncertainty complicated the negotiations. But Rubio ultimately decided he was ready to come over now.
Timberwolves spokesman Mike Cristaldi said the team was declining comment.
"As of now, we have nothing new to report," Cristaldi said.
The news marks the successful end to a long, and often winding, daliance between the Timberwolves and Rubio. Wolves President David Kahn spent two years in a complex, delicate negotiation, not wanting to put too much pressure on the youngster yet still emphasizing how much the team was looking forward to bringing the slick-passing point guard to the United States.
Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. He and agent Dan Fegan came to agreement to bring Rubio over to the NBA that summer, but Rubio pulled out at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a buyout that topped $6 million out of his own pocket.
The Timberwolves can only contribute $500,000 under league rules. But by staying in Spain for another two years, Rubio's buyout has now dropped to a more manageable $1.4 million.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Timberwolves have been working with several local companies on some endorsement opportunities that would help pay that bill.
The negotiations reached a deadline of sorts on Tuesday, when Rubio needed to sign a contract in order to be put under the current rookie salary wage scale.
He was faced with a difficult decision -- sign with the Wolves and lock himself into the guaranteed money of that rookie contract while risking losing games of his first NBA season to a potential lockout, or wait to see what unfolds with the league's uncertain labor situation. Waiting, however, could have cost him money in the long run if the owners are successful in their bid to gain major wage concessions from the players.
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