Although Rubio is a playmaking prodigy — with passing skills reminiscent of Pete Maravich — he needs work. Rubio is regarded as inefficient with the ball and a poor shooter. At 6 feet 4 inches and 180 pounds, he needs to add some muscle to his lithe frame.
By this time next year, Rubio could be much closer to N.B.A.-ready, and an even more valuable trading chip, assuming he refuses to play in Minneapolis.
In Flynn, the Timberwolves drafted an insurance policy. He can run the Wolves’ offense until Rubio arrives and could become the permanent point guard if Rubio forces a trade.
“There is such a thing as drafting assets,” Walsh said of Kahn’s apparent strategy.
That opportunity will come with the Wolves, a team lacking guards who have signed him to play with Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington, among others, in Vegas next month. (Don’t hold your breathe on Ricky Rubio).
Foye told the Washington Post that he thought his days in Minnesota were numbered when new team president of basketball operations David Kahn dismissed coach Kevin McHale.
“I was in Minnesota working out for about two weeks and I was like, this just don’t feel right,” Foye said. “You know when you’re not wanted and I felt wanted when Kevin McHale was there. He was thinking about coming back, but once he left, I pretty much knew I had to get out of there. It wasn’t anything negative on David Kahn’s part. He just wanted new blood. He wanted to bring in new guys, his guys.”
Foye said McHale told him that it would be great to play for a coach like Flip Saunders.
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