Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn had no comment Sunday on a Pioneer Press report that Rubio and his father flew to Minneapolis the day before to discuss his NBA future...
Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh spoke to Kahn on Saturday about a possible deal for Rubio but that Kahn isn’t interested in talking trade at this time.
Kahn said Friday that he’s willing to talk to teams that call about Rubio or any player but added, “We’re in no mode right now to make any trade.”
* The Wolves did turn down that Knicks’ offer of No. 8 and Wilson Chandler for the No. 5, which Donnie Walsh would have used to take Rubio and not Stephen Curry.
*Kahn is expected to hit the road next week to start his coaching interview search rather than stay in Minneapolis and let coaches come to him.
It’ll be interesting to see how many coaches are scratching their heads over the Wolves’ draft and wondering if they want any part of this thing.
But it only takes one who doesn’t, and it sure looks like that guy will be Mark Jackson, with Bill Laimbeer — who I hear Kahn spoke with he was saying he didn’t have a coaching list and wasn’t going to have one until after the draft — likely as an assistant.
But he took Rubio to trade him. Now comes the hard part: Finding Rubio a new home.
Houston was one of the first teams to come in with an offer. But the Rockets got nowhere with Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier.
Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, is an experienced negotiator who will likely get Rubio to a bigger market. Rubio’s father said on Friday that his son could remain in Europe. One report yesterday quoted a “consultant for Rubio’s (European-based) agency” as taking credit for suggesting to Rubio’s parents that the Knicks is the best team for the 19-year-old point guard.
Turns out that the consultant is none other than Tim Shea, a former Knicks European scout, who is responsible for one of the most infamous first round picks in club history. What the report conveniently failed to mention is that Shea’s claim to fame is that he is suggested that the Knicks draft Frederic Weis 10 years ago. Under Shea’s watch in New York, the Knicks had two Euros: Weis and the incomparable Mirsad Turkcan.
“Rubio isn’t very quick, isn’t very strong, and isn’t a very good shooter,” says the player, who was a record-setting point guard for a mid-Division I college. “What he can do is play hard, see the floor, deliver the ball, be totally unselfish, and make terrific decisions.”
The player, who requested to remain anonymous so as not to hurt his own chances to make an NBA squad, also points to Rubio’s decidedly mediocre play against Team USA in Beijing. “If I had to make a comparison,” Player X says, “Rubio could turn out to be something like Steve Nash, only not as quick and not nearly as good a shooter.”
The Thunder is expected to soon announce at least one new addition to its coaching staff, but two names have been linked to the position.
Former Sacramento Kings assistant coach Rex Kalamian has interviewed for the job, according to a source. J.B. Bickerstaff, the son of former head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who most recently served under Kevin McHale with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has also received interest from the Thunder.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
