Associated Press
GERONA, Spain — Ricky Rubio plans to part ways with Spanish basketball club DKV Joventut even if the Minnesota Timberwolves cannot reach a deal to bring their first round draft pick to the NBA.
Timberwolves president David Kahn was in Spain this week to try and help the fifth overall pick negotiate a buyout of his contract with Joventut.
Rubio is at odds with his boyhood club over an $8.2 million buyout clause, which the NBA team can only contribute $500,000 toward.
Regardless of whether the 18-year-old Rubio makes the trip across the Atlantic next season, he won’t be playing at Joventut.
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"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."
Spanish basketball clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in signing Rubio if he cannot make it to play in the NBA this season.
