“Criticism is fine,” Kahn said. “I’d be more mindful if I thought it was a close call. I believe we did the right thing. We were highly prepared, highly organized. We did not expect Rubio to be there. And it seemed right to take the guy we were enamored with [Flynn].”
Experts had Rubio going as high as second. He wasn’t getting past Kahn at No. 5. And he loved Flynn too much to let him get away. Kahn validated what hoop fans in Western New York have known since Flynn was at the Falls.
“Jonny has a chance to be a very special player,” Kahn said. “Despite being short [6 feet], he carries himself as if he’s three or four inches taller. He has great athletic ability. I think he will become one of the best on-ball defenders in our league. I love his leadership capability. It seems to just ooze out of him.”
Rubio’s contract calls for a buyout of $6.6 million if he wants to get out of his final two years in Spain to play in the NBA, and the Wolves are allowed to pay only $500,000 of that. The Wolves management, knowing that signing Rubio would be the one thing they could do to increase season ticket sales, are doing everything possible to get him in uniform next season.
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