Rubio has one foot out door in Spain

David Kahn remained in Spain on Wednesday involved in negotiations that likely will lead first-round pick Ricky Rubio away from his Spanish pro team and to the Wolves or another European team.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: July 23, 2009 - 7:34 AM

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Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn remained in Spain on Wednesday involved in negotiations that likely will lead first-round pick Ricky Rubio away from his Spanish pro team and to the Wolves or another European team, perhaps in a matter of days.

Rubio told the Associated Press in Spain that he expects to leave his DKV Joventut Badalona team and hopes to join a winning team.

He could still up end with the Wolves, too.

"I want to continue with the club but, after everything that's happened, I don't think they're too comfortable having me in their squad," Rubio was quoted as saying Wednesday. "I want to play in a winning team, on a team that can achieve many things."

At issue still is Rubio's $6 million-plus buyout from his Joventut team, the critical matter that prompted Kahn to fly to Spain on Monday.

Saying he wants to part ways with his team -- as the Spanish AP story said -- is one thing. Actually parting ways through a renegotiated financial deal is something completely different.

Asked by text message Wednesday if a buyout agreement had been reached, Kahn responded simply, "No."

He replied "nothing to say" when asked on the progress he is making in Spain, where Rubio's American agent, Dan Fegan, also reportedly is this week.

The most likely way around Rubio's buyout dilemma are commercial endorsements that could offset -- and then some -- the price Rubio must pay from his own pocket to earn his freedom. The most the Timberwolves can pay because of NBA rules is $500,000.

A Spanish media report said Wednesday that Kahn went to Spain with a list of Minnesota companies willing to sign Rubio to endorsement deals for a sum totaling $4 million, which could pay all or most of a renegotiated deal with DKV Joventut.

NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver reportedly was involved in a meeting last week in Las Vegas that included Kahn, Fegan and Wolves owner Glen Taylor.

Before he left for Spain, Kahn was asked if he was headed overseas with a list of endorsement deals for Rubio that would get the buyout solved, and if Silver was involved in the meeting to advise what is permitted within NBA rules in such matters.

Kahn answered no to both questions.

"We cannot circumvent the salary cap and we cannot pay him more than $500K," Kahn said in a text message. "Like any player, he is entitled to obtain his own sponsorship deals locally, nationally."

The Spanish AP story said Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing Rubio, the 18-year-old who was the fifth player taken in last month's draft, if he does not play in the NBA this season.

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