Rubio opts for Barcelona FC
It’s important to remember that the Timberwolves’ top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, is only an 18-year-old point guard. While the news broke today that Rubio had opted to sign a new contract with Barcelona FC, his hometown professional team in Spain, the upshot is this: Rubio will be spending the next two seasons – seasons in which most kids would be gaining college-level hoops experience – playing Euro pro ball, and then is expected to join the Wolves for a much lower buyout, and with two seasons more experience under his belt.
That’s the kind of news that may not make fans overly happy, but could be better for the team in the long term; and it also proves GM David Kahn’s wisdom in picking PG Jonny Flynn with the sixth overall pick, right after Rubio. It was a sort of life insurance move. Now, there’s not really a gaping hole at the position and the Wolves’ point duties are in good hands for the next two seasons.
While the Wolves still have holes to fill at SG, ultimately by the time Rubio joins the Wolves for the 2011-12 season, he’ll be a more polished player and Flynn’s role and future with the team will be far more defined.
