Can people please stop saying Rubio doesnt want to come to Memphis.
The sports radio guys here in Sac were discussing this a couple weeks ago, and they said Rubio's agent stated he would be fine with playing in Sac because of the teams history with foriegn players like Vlade, Peja, and Hedo. But he does not want to play in Memphis partly becuse he had heard horror stories from Pau and JC Navarro. So market size is probably only part of it.
There has never been any confirmation, either through Rubio's agent or Rubio himself, that he is against the idea of playing for Memphis. The source of this idea was an unconfirmed rumor. Chris Wallace, Grizzlies' GM, spoke with Rubio's agent about a week and a half ago, and according to the commercial appeal, an accredited investigative newspaper in Memphis, his agent stated Memphis is "definitely not ruled out". Wallace, Hollins, and Marc Gasol also traveled to Spain and and met with Rubio and his family for 90 minutes and the talks supposedly went "really well". Not saying events in the future won't change this notion, but as of right now these are just, in fact, RUMORS not confirmations.
I list my sources below:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/23/rubios-agent-doesnt-rul...
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/30/griz-look-at-options-fo...
trade #2 rubio to sac for #4 and #23
#4 Hill / harden
#23 Holiday / casspi
or they could then use there #27 along with the #23 to move up or try to trade for a vet
possibly move up and get hansbrough?
with a harden / hansbrough draft the celtics could possibly get 2 starters for next year
i dont see why they wouldnt want to trade up for rubio, he would put a face on a facless franchise, when i think sac kings i still think about chris webber divac and bibby. Rubio would give them somone to market and a point guard for years to come
Everyone says that he does not want to play there, but when u look in the Sacramento Bee, the article clearly states that he's focusing on teams 2-4 and willing to work-out and give them an interview...All the he doesnt wanna go here and there stuff is hoopla
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/06/rubio...
He doesnt want to play there, its obvious. His agent has said it, and the Grizzlies are looking into trading their pick so they can satisfy his wish. But I dont think players should be as picky as they are, Jianlian did this same thing and was he really worth it? No, he isnt some standout player so why should he choose? Let me play in Idaho in the NBA and I would be satisfied
The big problem for Rubio is the 5 million dollar buyout, he needs the right market to damper down the financial risk he is taking, it's not a typical "i don't like the club/city"-thing.
In my opinion he shouldn't take the risk at all and stay in Spain for the next 2 years and then come over, he is just 18 so no need to hurry.
I have my doubts that the Grizzlies will draft him if they are not 100% sure that he is gonna play for them, if the word is out that Rubio definietly would rather stay in Spain than play for the Grizzlies the trade value would fall dramatically or probably has already fallen.
Sophistic is right on, Rubio makes Bank in Spain and he is on a good team. Why take the chance on a crap team in a crap city - Sorry memphis, but it's true - when he can stay in Spain and come to the NBA in a few years in a better situation. Spain >>>>>>>Tennessee, especially in the eyes of a European.
One of the more interesting tidbits of information coming out of the pre-draft workouts the last two days in Oakland is word that the agent for Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio is suddenly amenable to participating in interviews and individuals workouts with a select number of teams - the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Kings. Sources told me that, at this point, Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, is limiting the visits to the teams with draft picks 2-4. Given the fact that Jrue Holiday and Jonny Flynn are moving up on most mock draft boards, this makes sense.
Rubio is open to playing in these places, but really he is just taking advantage of his leverage. You cant blame him.
In our 7th podcast we interviewed Chris Herington of the Memphis Flyer - and spoke in great detail about this - http://nbadraftdaycountdown.com/ - click on the podcast link the top right corner and it will take you right there - PODCAST #7
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/05/is-ricky-rubio-giving-memph... .... enough proof for me
Rubio And The Kings?: It seems the Kings might end up with their man after all, word is the Kings are working on a deal with Memphis to land Ricky Rubio at #2, league sources say a lot is still up in the air and a deal is far from done, but should the two teams make a deal it is not going to include Jason Thompson as some have speculated. Any deal between the Kings and Grizzlies might include future draft picks but unlikely will include a roster player of subtsance. League sources contend that Memphis really does not have a lot of leverage in this situation as Rubio will not play for the Grizzlies. The Kings are willing to deal for Rubio and unless Oklahoma City gets in the mix, moving down to #4 still fits Memphis' game plan. The Kings are preparing a contingent plan that could include grabbing Jordan Hill at #4, which would be a solid "win-now" move if the Grizzlies hold out for more compensation. League sources say if the Grizzlies move down to #4, Tyreke Evans would be their man on draft night, which makes sense, considering Evans can play both point guard and shooting guard, backing up OJ Mayo and Mike Conley and would be immensely popular with the Memphis fan base.
Theres no proof of that claim other than random internet quotes from "unnamed sources". Why is he gonna work out for the grizzlies if he doesnt want to play for them?