In short, if Rubio comes in 2011, the rules say he can earn a maximum of $16.3 million in his first four seasons. If he comes in 2012, he won’t be boxed into that rookie-scale deal.
Let’s take it even further: If Rubio’s stock rises to the point where he is considered talented enough to be a “max” player (a player eligible to receive a maximum salary, which in Rubio’s case would be 25 percent of the salary cap if the rule stays the same under the new CBA), and his agent can get Rubio’s rights traded to a team with “max” space, he could make $16.3 million in his rookie season alone.
Yes, there are a lot of ifs there, and another big if is whether those same rules would be grandfathered into the new collective bargaining agreement that will replace the one likely to expire in June 2011.
Still, under the current rules, Rubio would be loco (“crazy” en Español) to leave Spain in 2011 rather than 2012.
From the Associated Press:
Rubio, the Timberwolves’ fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, agreed to a six-year deal that included a buyout clause that allows him to leave for the NBA after two years.
“Going to Minnesota would have just complicated my life a lot. It was a risk and I didn’t see it so clearly,” Rubio said. “My priority was the NBA and it was impossible for the Minnesota Timberwolves to pay my buyout clause, so I wanted to stay home.”
From Frank Isola/NY Daily News:
Lee’s name has been mentioned in several sign-and-trade scenarios, but Walsh seems reluctant to move the young forward. Walsh denied a report that the Knicks would consider trading Lee to Minnesota for unsigned rookie Ricky Rubio.
“We haven’t spoken to them about Rubio since the day after the draft,” Walsh said.
Saulo in MN:
Hows Corey Brewer? Looking like MIP? I always thought he was an important part of our young core (build around him, al jeff and love.. now flynn).. but some people are already labeling him a bust..what do you think?
Man, he looks terrific – flying around the gym, over the rim, shooting it well. He’s smart, coachable, locked in, and can absolutely be that energetic, athletic, lock down defender! Expect him to quiet those naysayers.
From Phil Jasner/Philadelphia Daily News:
Pinckney will not be coaching this season, at least not officially. He will, however, be analyzing. He was introduced as the analyst on 76ers telecasts, joining play-by-play voice Marc Zumoff and sideline reporter Dei Lynam. Zumoff is entering his 16th season as the play-by-p-lay voice and his 28th as a member of the Sixers broadcast team.
Pinckney, 46, is the successor to Bob Salmi.Speculation during the summer indicated he became the choice after consideration had also been given to Donyell Marshall and Rick Mahorn.
Pinckney decided his time as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves was up when Kurt Rambis was named their new head coach and put together a staff including onetime Sixers guard Dave Wohl, Bill Laimbeer and Reggie Theus, even though he had an opportunity to remain there.
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