The Oklahoma City Thunder have hired a prestigious Barcelona law firm to assist them should they draft Spanish guard Ricky Rubio.
Rubio has a large buyout with Spanish team DKV Joventut Badalona, and Thunder officials are using the firm to brief them on the country’s contract law and procedures. Thunder GM Sam Presti met with Rubio and his agent this past weekend.
Rubio reportedly has made progress on lowering his buyout to $4 million, still a hefty cost, but he also reportedly could be allowed to make payments over several years.
Does that mean anything substantial? Have the Thunder and Rubio come to some sort of agreement? I really have no idea. All I know is that OKC appears ready to pick Ricky Rubio.
Plus, listen to the B.S. Report today to hear Simmons and Chad Ford talk about Rubio’s NBA readiness, the brilliance of Sam Presti and how the Thunder will be everybody’s favorite team if they take Rubio (fast forward to about 21 minutes in; h/t Dustin).
Nice blog friend. Really awesome. I just read the postings. I found this interesting.
@Bob
Why is everybody freaking out?! This is the best thing that could happen. It will be truly special to watch Durant and Rubio grow together. It's a rare thing to have two prodigees. A 21st century Stockton and Malone -- much more speed...
There is no reason to 'break up' the band. Westbrook is a combo guard, period. Whether he plays point, or two guard, he's going to have to improve on his shooting; if he weren't capable of that, he wouldn't be in the NBA. He's a professional. He will get over being moved to two when he realizes what they have. Moreover, he has the size and athleticisms to lock down other two guards. He's also active with steals and rebounds to get the break started...
Rubio is 6'4'' which means they have plenty of size between them. He's only 18! Why are people so concerned about shooting? He shot 37% from international 3 pt. line (longer than NCAA) while playing with wrist injuries against grown men. Harden shot 36% in the NCAA, so unless they take Curry, this is irrelavant field of comparison.
Finally, Rubio will feed Durant, Green, and Westbrook with incredible precision, and make them significantly better. Everybody likes to play with someone like that. With Durant's range there will be plenty of spacing.
@Jules
Russ was one of the only rookies in NBA history to average 15-5-5. He was the only rookie with a triple-double, iirc.
Sure he has a lot to learn, but players of his age tend to make the biggest leap between their first and second seasons.
And I absolutely think Westbrook and Rubio could play together. Defensively, it works like a dream, because Russ/Rubio/Thabo would be able to guard virtually any guard combination in the league. Offensively, I'm sure Brooks can find some creative ways to find Russ cutting to the basket, and we're also assuming Russ's shooting doesn't improve in the offseason.
Drafting Rubio would immediately make OKC one of the most talented and versatile young teams in the league.
Kev :
it’s not about Westbrook - it’s about the team. Anyone that has seen Rubio for more than five minutes knows he’s a better poing guard. Period. It’s not even a debate. I like what Kyle said, maybe down the road when we are a contending, RW is a 5th man - nothing wrong with that. You can’t be worried about someone’s confidence . . .
I've seen Rubio and I'm not convinced.
He was supposed to be the man with Badalona this year with Fernandez leaving and he had an off year. Injuries can explain a few things but he was really far from being dominant.
IMO a Westbrook-Harden backcourt just kills Rubio-Westbrook. If you want Rubio just trade Westbrook for a better fit.
Kyle :And to make myself clear, I like Harden as much as Rubio. I know Rubio has more potential, but Harden is just hand in hand Brandon Roy… Same game, same demeanor, and right before the draft he just wasn’t that hot. Roy dropped to 6, Harden is looking at 5 or 6. I don’t want to see Brandon Roy just wave on by as we pass him up when he could fit well with this team.
But as I said, we are REBUILDING. I want to add as much talent to this roster as possible no matter what position.
agreed . . . just keep adding good players (no Thabeet) . . .
these next 48 hours or so are unbearable . . .
there seems to be ALOT more trade talk and actual trades . . .
And to make myself clear, I like Harden as much as Rubio. I know Rubio has more potential, but Harden is just hand in hand Brandon Roy... Same game, same demeanor, and right before the draft he just wasn't that hot. Roy dropped to 6, Harden is looking at 5 or 6. I don't want to see Brandon Roy just wave on by as we pass him up when he could fit well with this team.
But as I said, we are REBUILDING. I want to add as much talent to this roster as possible no matter what position.
@Kev
My bad kev, thought since it was after my post you were asking me...Respect your thoughts and opinions here cause you know your stuff like i do and i appreciate that haha
Mullens is actually an athletic freak. He was #1 overall in the rivals class last year due to his feet, hands and athleticism. His motor is what they question (something I don't like to hear)
I agree with you on the trade, that's what I had in my last post. Why give up a potential high lottery pick. Worst case Phoenix won't do better than 20th, so we only lose a couple spots, but they COULD do horrible.
There is a strong Center class next year that I would love to have a pick for and also have another 1st round to get another fabulous player that we could come off the bench...
HERE THAT?!?! After all these drafts and aqcuisitions, we could be drafting top talent for our bench because we could be so stacked!! Oh the potential!! haha I'm getting giddy with our future.
it's not about Westbrook - it's about the team. Anyone that has seen Rubio for more than five minutes knows he's a better poing guard. Period. It's not even a debate. I like what Kyle said, maybe down the road when we are a contending, RW is a 5th man - nothing wrong with that. You can't be worried about someone's confidence . . .
I still don't like Rubio in OKC...
"Thanks for trying Russ but we want Rubio to drive our franchise for the next 10 years"
Moving Westbrook to SG will hurt his confidence and his potential. There's no doubt he can be a terrific defender against PGs, can we say the same thing against SGs ? And no one wants a backcourt unable to hit a jumper efficiently, and right now Rubio and Westbrook can't shoot efficiently.
Maybe OKC is just trying to send a message to the NBA : you want Rubio ? Let's talk trade...
As far as I'm concerned Harden is the pick.
there is a rumor that we are trading the #25 and next year's #1 from Phoenix to get the #14 this year . . .
this makes no sense . . .
Phoenix might be trading two of their three key pieces, Amare and Shaq, for cap reasons. They have a good shot at being in the mid to high lottery next year. We are going to move up to #14 to take Mullens?? He's a benchwarmer for three years - minimum . . .
Love is untouchable by his team. The only way you pull away an untouchable from a team is to over-give.
I think you are missing a big point posted by other guys... When building a team, you take best available if its that much better than the rest. If Rubio really is that much better then you have to take him and go from there. You want your team as strong as possible, first and 2nd team. Think about how much stronger we would be down the road if we had the privelage of having westbrook be a 6th man? That's what championship teams do. We can't cause we don't have enough talent yet. San Antonio? They have Manu as 6th man because they can. Our overall talent would be greater, and we would put pressure on a team with 1st or 2nd team in.
And we don't need to fix our C position RIGHT NOW if its not there. We can't force the issue like our old GM (Swift, Petro, Sene) they kept drafting centers trying to fix a problem instead of realizing none of them would fix the problem and did'nt stockpile talent, thus they sucked...
There is a pretty strong center class potentially in next years draft. We could easily have our pick from a few with 2 draft picks in the 1st round and get a good one to build with a very strong roster.
Rubio > > Love
@Kyle
that's why I was asking if "anyone wanted him". I don't see Presti enamored with anyone that unrefined - at least Thabeet actually did something in college . . .
Be serious who's is really thinking that Rudio and Wesbrook can play together? And be honest to yourself Westbrook isn't all that good, yet. A guy who make more than 3TO and shoot the ball through the net less 40% of time have to make big step to be a starter for a contender (and just for remember Adam Morrison was also running for ROY at his time).
If I was Sam I will stick with Wesbrook at PG but let him know that he has work to do, and I will trade Rubio for a big young man (if you don’t like Oden what about Love ?)
I never said I wanted him... I see him as big flop potential, but Chad Ford seems to think Presti is enamored with him...
Why does anyone want Mullens?
If we take Rubio, We should keep the core of our team: KD, Jeff, RW, Krstic, DJ, Livinston. and with the 25th pick, take a pure shooter/3-point guy to make up for the lack of with RW and Rubio. (i.e Ellington, Christmas, Meeks,...)
Who the hell would want the broken down Oden? He has shown he has no ability but to get hurt in this league while Westbrook was in the running for ROY...
BTW.. Rumors are that Minn wants 2 lottery picks, and we could trade 3 for 5 and 18... still get someone we want and gain a pick later...
Also we might be trading up to get Phx pick to get Mullins, but the worst part? We might give back their first round pick of next year to get it... If they are building that could be a great pick!
I guess we know its a lottery pick this year so we konw where it would be, but I wish we could do something like what we did with the Bulls this year and let them have whichever one is the lower pick...
If Presti take Rubio, he could also trade Westbrook.
I think a trade Oden/Westbrook or sth like this could work...
I really hope they take after Hook and sub the Rufio chants with the Rubio chants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um8mMa5w41A
RUBIO RUBIO RU-BI-OOOHHH
KingGondo :
I still remain convinced that Presti has something special up his sleeve. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
All I can think of is Presti sitting in his office F5ing ESPN.com watching all the pre-draft activity; ringing his tightly clutched hands in a very Montgomery Burnes fashion snickering while saying "eeeeexcellent"!!!
This is getting good!
Go team. Anyone else just want to sleep until draft time on Thursday? And not just to get out of work?
I'm going to be immediately happy with anyone not named Hasheem. I'd prefer Rubio, but I'm kind of over figuring out who is really going to be drafted. I don't know better or worse than anyone else.
@KingGondo
I still remain convinced that Presti has something special up his sleeve. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
I'm not sure, it seems like everyone is expecting a miracle move that puts us over the top. My motto is expect less and receive more. It may only work around Christmas time and Birthdays but HEY!!! Maybe it could work for the draft??
I'm just expecting 1 player (Curry, Harden, Rubio) you know the boring regular way teams do it.
Wow i just got home now and saw the trade. They are going to be a really good team kinda like us!!!!! Talent wise Jefferson=Durant Love=Westbrook Curry=Green DeRazon=Harden uhh nahhhhhhh.
Even though Durant is better than Jefferson, still kinda close?
I'm still reeling from all the news of the Minny trade (look of shock at moniter). It's hard to believe all these trades going down before the draft and we haven't even so much as heard a peep from Presti!
Could it be that he's really using that poker face to hide his real intentions of taking over the NBA?!
KingGondo :@Kev
I still remain convinced that Presti has something special up his sleeve. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
I think you're right on that.
I would really be happy with Harden, Curry or Rubio. I haven't seen Rubio play, just youtube clips, but all the "experts" are calling him much more than special; so if our brainy guys think he is the guy and he can work alongside Westbrook, I am willing to be happy about it.
my last prediction (yes I will quit after this)
Memphis trades the #2 for either the #5 or the #6 and the #18 (they take Rubio)
OKC takes Curry at #3 . . .
@Kev
I've heard a similar thing, but it was the 6 and 18 to the Grizz for the #2. Any way we could trade up to #2, if we really want Rubio? We'd probably have to give up the #3, #25, and probably at least Watson's contract. Hmmm...
I still remain convinced that Presti has something special up his sleeve. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
@Kev
(raises both hands)
I think there is a possibility they trade the 5 and the 18 to Memphis for the #2 . . . If Grizzlies pass on Rubio they are basically getting a guy they could get at 5 . . . might as well get another guy at 18 as well . . . The Wolves then get Rubio AND a guy at #6 . . .
Raise your hand if you can't wait for Thursday . . .
Really starting to like the idea of Rubio on our team. Scotty will just make it work with RR and Westbrook. Could be the start of something special!
And what's Minny got as well, the 5, 6, 18, and 28?
Yeesh, they could start a whole other team almost.
agreed - Telfair stinks and Foye was a little overrated - I like what they have done . . .
Wow, Minny with #5 and #6 and few guards on the roster. They have a good front court with Gomes, Love and Jefferson, but their guard spots are underwhelming. They could be really fresh if they took like Curry and Evans, or Curry and Harden, or Harden and Flynn. Wow.
re: bill simmons
he says he'll move to the city that ends up with rubio? if okc ends up picking him, i'm going on record as saying i will kick his ass if i see him here. here it is in writing. if i see him outside the ford center before a game, i will kick his ass. i'll go to jail, whatever. any assault and battery case would be well worth it. so feel free to come watch a "zombie sonics" game here in okc... seriously.
(anyone that wants to forward this to him, please do.)
good podcast as usual from Simmons
Mystery solved people -
Presti takes Rubio if he's available, otherwise we take Curry . . .
you can thank me (and Chad Ford) in advance . . .
good move for the Wolves - Love and Jefferson are cornerstones . . . IF they added two shooters, then watch out . . .
"The Wolves would then keep the draft pick and their own selection at No. 6 and not try to package those to move up, a source told ESPN.com's Andy Katz."
From the ESPN story on the NBA page.
It seems unlikely that they'd try to move up anyway, because they just traded a ton of scoring (and 2 SGs) to Washington. I bet they try to snag Curry and Harden.
@KingGondo
Do you have the ESPN quote saying that Minny isn't interested in moving up?
ESPN is reporting that Minny won't try to move up past #5. Maybe they just really like Harden and Flynn. Who knows?
And so much for the Thunder-Amir Johnson trade rumors.
@Royce
I'm in. Should I make my check out to Presti, King of OKC?
Amir Johnson to the Bucks for Oberto. Also from Yahoo.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I thought the same thing, but will stick to my pix.
@KingGondo
Maybe they want Curry or T. Evans or Flynn and Thabeet or something like that?
The trades are a-flying now.
This is getting fun.
Wilson :@Royce
Completely off subject but I didn’t know how else to get you this info. Concerning the Thunder’s arena expansion!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4282224
Wow, that's a shame. Hopefully they can pull it out. And I wouldn't mind an extra penny here in Norman to help out.
And J.G. will love this--it's coming courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.
Breaking Minnesota-Washington trade. Minny trades Miller and Foye to Washington for Songaila, Pecherov, Thomas, and the #5 pick.
So now Minnesota has the #5 and #6 picks, very interesting.
I don't live in OKC, but as an avid sports fan, I would not mind an increased .01$ tax for the OKC Metroplex which would include my town of Norman along with say Edmond, Yukon etc. to help fund EVERYTHING that was proposed!
@Royce
Completely off subject but I didn't know how else to get you this info. Concerning the Thunder's arena expansion!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4282224