This isn’t in the Latrell Sprewell “can’t feed my family” category just yet, but Ricky Rubio apparently is going to need more money if the Timberwolves want to keep him around.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson told Sportando that a four-year, $43 million offer isn’t enough for Rubio and his agent.
“Rubio is on notice. The Wolves are trying to sign him to an extension, and so far his agent, Dan Fegan, is balking at the idea of a 4-year, $43 million deal. That’s plenty for a player of Rubio’s caliber. It’s a lot more than Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague makes — maybe a better player — and is what Golden State All-Star guard Stephen Curry makes. But Fegan is seeking the 5-year max. That’s not happening.”
It makes sense considering Rubio is reportedly seeking a five-year max contract. But as Basketball Insiders points out, why would the Timberwolves give Rubio a max deal when star point guards like Goran Dragic of the Suns and Steph Curry of the Warriors are making between $7.5-11 million a year?
Rubio is going to be a restricted free agent next summer, so he’ll need a monster season if he wants anything close to a max contract. On Monday, Rubio and Spain took on Argentina in a friendly game before the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup starts on Saturday. Rubio’s alley oop to Serge Ibaka was the play of the game.
https://twitter.com/wannadiaz/status/504248852610695170
Rubio the leader?
Even though he’s still only 23-years-old, the three-year NBA veteran will now be the leader on and off the court. Wolves head coach Flip Saunders thinks Rubio can handle the role.
“Leaders are born, they’re not made,” Saunders said Saturday, according to 1500ESPN.com. “You have the leadership ability when you come here. (Rubio) does have that. He’s going to have more of a chance to maybe exert that leadership because he doesn’t have the all-pro, all-star that’s up there. It’s different when you come in as a young player, you have to have certain personality to be able to go in and buck that type of player.”
