“Mozart” for David Lee?
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 by Patrick Mauro
The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves at an interesting fork in the road, and judging by June’s draft in which they took point guards with both the fifth and the sixth picks, one they anticipated all along.
If you haven’t heard, Spanish teenager Ricky Rubio–AKA “Mozart”–has signed a deal with Barcelona that could keep him in Spain and out of the NBA for the next two seasons.
Ricky Rubio composes masterpiece offenses! (Crdit: picapp.com)
David Kahn calls the shots for the T-Wolves and faces an intriguing choice.
He could wait a couple years for Rubio to join the squad, which might not be the worst thing in the world. He won’t turn 19 until late October. In a couple years with more experience under his belt, he’d likely be in a better spot both physically and in terms of maturity to live up to the hype. If Rubio is destined to be an NBA star, the realization of that fate seems more likely later than now.
But is this more a question of better location (than the land of ten thousand lakes) leading to bigger dollars? Prior to the draft, Rubio’s people opined the benefits of a major market, citing more money from endorsements and an easier process of coming up with the package to release him from the pricey buyout.
BARCELONA OR MINNEAPOLIS? HMMMM? (Credit: picapp.com)
Kahn has done everything he possibly can to creatively raise the cash for the monster buyout and going so far as to promise exhibition games against DKV Joventut, what is now Rubio’s former Spanish team. It didn’t work. That team turned down the offer, instead agreeing on the buyout from Barcelona, keeping the teenager in the “land of paella” for the foreseeable future.
But wait.
According to StarTribune.com, an NBA source claims the New York Knicks, who wanted Rubio to begin with–they offered their number eight pick and Wilson Chandler for the fifth pick back on draft day–are back in possible contention, or at least discussions, regarding the teen joining their team.
They don’t have an abundance of draft picks meaning their only trade bait is un-signed David Lee who has said he may not come to camp if a deal can’t be done.
Lee is a good player, but Al Jefferson–who says his knee will be ready for the season–and Kevin Love occupy the minutes at power forward. If the T-Wolves did acquire him, Lee might be used to acquire someone else from someplace else.
Could the best current European-American play the “three”? I’m kidding.
Is David Lee worthy compensation for what could be a future HOFer? The possibility Rubio proves all hype has to figure into the decision. His trade value could be at its highest right now.
For Kahn and the organization, it comes down to not only whether or not they believe Rubio is worth waiting for, but also realistically confronting the possibility that he would rather play NBA hoops somewhere other than Minneapolis.
Similar Posts:
- Ricky Rubio: Barcelona, Madrid, Badalona or Minneapolis?
- Ricky Rubio on the Knicks Radar
- The Ricky Rubio Extravaganza Continues
- David Lee: The Contemporary Larry Bird?
- The Ricky Rubio Buyout Extravaganza Begins!
As a Knicks fan, I am growing more and more worried that David Lee will leave the team…and Donnie Walsh will have nothing to show for him.
The ONLY legitimate value on the 2008 Knicks roster other than the overrated Wilson Chandler, Lee was a chip that needed to be moved–needed to bring back a useful piece for the future.
If somehow the T-Wolves felt that Lee was a useful asset to their team, I would much rather the Knicks received a potential All-Star (at a HUGE need position) down the road in return for Lee as opposed to nothing but a wave goodbye.
The one thing I strongly disagree with, however, is the comment that his value “could be higher than ever.”
His value was MUCH higher on the days and weeks leading up to draft day, as teams honestly believed he would be in the US in 2009. Knowing they will have to wait (at least) 2 years to see him in an NBA uniform decreases his value dramatically.
Why trade proven NBA talent and/or high draft picks for an unproven commodity who you can’t groom for at least 2 years. He has as much chance of being Darko as he does Tony Parker or Dirk.
good comments.
it’s possible that adding rubio for the knicks gives them talent (without a salary cap hit) for a potential run at lebron.
he does seem way more darko at this point.