Ricky Rubio’s Contract

Ricky Rubio has the option of staying in Minnesota or playing Spain next season (possibly two).  According to various reports, Rubio will need to pay more than $6.5 million to buyout his current contract with DKV Joventut.  

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, NBA teams cannot pay more then $500,000 towards the buyout of an overseas contract without it counting towards the player’s salary, as a signing bonus.  The NBA also has an NBA Rookie Wage Scale that will limit how much Rubio’s first contract will be.  Basically, the Wolves (or other team, if they decide trade him) will not pay more then $500,000 for the buyout of his overseas contract. 

As the 5th pick of the 2009 draft, he will earn $2.7243 million his first year, and $2.9286 million his second year.  A third year option can be made for $3.1329 million and a possible fourth year option for $3.9683 million. 

In very simple words, if he plays now, his first contract with the Wolves (or any other NBA team) will pretty much cover just the buyout.  From day one, his eyes will be set on his second contract in the NBA. 

In my opinion, this is his best option because as soon as he signs an NBA contract, he is that much closer to his second contract (potential big-money contract).  Rubio will only need to prove his worthiness in two, or possibly three for four years as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  He will be no older than 22, and is free to join any NBA  team he wishes.  Of course, I’d want him to fall in love with the Timberwolvesand be our franchise Point Guard of the century, but I’m not too optimistic.  It is well documented that he is not a fan of the cold-weathered and small market Timberwolves.

Who knows?  Maybe this all won’t matter in the next few days.  Many teams have expressed interest in Rubio, escpecially the New York Knicks.  We’ll see.

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