The Associated Press reports point guard Ricky Rubio is not optimistic about returning to his Spanish team, DKV Joventut.  Whether or not he can make it to the NBA this year, he plans on playing elsewhere for a “winning team”.  Spanish basketball clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in signing Rubio if he cannot make it to the NBA this season.

“I want to continue with the club but, after everything that’s happened, I don’t think they’re too comfortable having me in their squad,” Rubio said Wednesday. “I want to play in a winning team, on a team that can achieve many things.”

Plan A seems to still be the Minnesota Timberwolves.  It has recently been revealed that Rubio told the Timberwolves that he was prepared to play from them following the draft.  Timberwolves’ President David Kahn is currently in Spain, trying to work out an agreement with his Spanish team.

The followup plan for Rubio could mean that he could remain in Europe for at least two years.  If a European team agrees to pay his buyout, the team would presumably want the phenom point guard to sign at least a two-year deal.

Nonetheless, this latest update is still encouraging for the Timberwolves.  Let’s hope Kahn gets the job done in Spain.