[h1]Grizzlies expect Ricky Rubio visit for workout[/h1] [h2]Spanish guard reportedly plans U.S. trip as soon as next week[/h2]
By Ronald Tillery
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
If Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio indeed comes to the America and visits NBA teams before the draft, the Grizzlies expect to be part of the tour.
The 18-year-old's plans are still foreign to Griz general manager Chris Wallace, but several media outlets say Rubio and his family are scheduled to board a flight June 13 bound for the United States.
There are Internet and Spanish reports that contend
Rubio would skip Memphis and visit only Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Sacramento -- teams that own the first, third and fourth picks.
Wallace, though, said Monday afternoon that no one from Rubio's camp has indicated the Spaniard would bypass Memphis -- owners of the No. 2 overall selection.
"I don't have anything set up. But it's open-ended. If he's in the country, we definitely want him here," said Wallace, who is seriously considering selecting Rubio with the
Grizzlies' lottery pick in the June 25 draft.
Wallace isn't putting stock in speculation about a Rubio visit to the U.S. -- he'll await definitive word from the player's representatives.
"All of that remains to be seen," Wallace said. "Nothing is set right now."
Rubio's intentions have been widely reported through sources since the draft lottery unfolded last month. The teenage point guard hasn't been quoted with any opinion about possibly landing in Memphis. Nor has Rubio's U.S. agent,
Dan Fegan, publicly demanded the Griz not select his client.
Wallace also insists that his separate meetings with Fegan (in Los Angeles) and Rubio (in Barcelona) were "cordial" and "productive."
The next meeting between Rubio and his ACB League team,
DKV Joventut, will likely take on a different tone regarding a contract between the parties.
Rubio reportedly notified DKV Joventut on Monday that he wanted to terminate a deal that would require a $6.6 million buyout for him to play in the NBA. Rubio is scheduled to earn just $175,000 next season with DKV Joventut.
"The (buyout) clauses are disproportionate to his salary -- abusive clauses," Rubio's father, Esteban, told ESPN.com. "We want to know, if he really left, whether or not he'd have to pay these amounts. It's fair for DKV Joventut to get paid a certain amount of money, but what they want to collect is out of proportion with what Ricky earns."
Rubio apparently hasn't filed a lawsuit and instead has asked for an arbitration hearing.
A favorable decision for Rubio would mean he could play in the NBA with no baggage. Rubio could decide to stay in Spain if an arbitrator rules that the buyout is reasonable.
Meanwhile, the Griz still are entertaining offers for the No. 2 pick as well as their 27th and 36th selections.
As the rumor mill churns, the Griz have been approached by several teams about acquiring the second overall pick. Boston, Houston and New York are said to be among the most recent suitors.
Boston and Houston would likely have to offer an established NBA player or two, given that neither team owns a first-round pick. New York owns the eighth pick and likely would want to move up for the opportunity to take Rubio.
Tip-ins: Griz brass conducted a pre-draft workout Monday with prospects that will be considered for their 27th and 36th picks.
Chris Johnson (LSU),
Josh Carter (Texas A&M),
Wes Matthews (Marquette), Stefon Jackson (UTEP),
Garrett Temple (LSU) participated. Jackson was asked to return today for a workout that will include former University of Memphis guard
Antonio Anderson.
The Griz will conduct a second free-agent camp June 15-17 in FedExForum.
