Rubio says he wants to stay in Barcelona next year, prospects schedule workouts with the team and more
From ESPN: Chat with Chad Ford
KE (MPLS)
Assuming the Wovlies land the #2 pick....what should we do?!
Chad Ford (1:35 PM)
Evan Turner is an obvious fit, though he doesn't shoot the ball well ... a need for Minn. I could see Derrick Favors there too.
Also from Ford's chat:
Pat (Minneapolis)
Chad: Why does everyone (yourself included I believe) doubt that Rubio will ever play for the Timberwolves? I've heard that said by dozens of writers, but nobody ever gives a reason. Would he really refuse to come over unless he is traded? He nor his agent have indicated that.
Chad Ford (1:38 PM)
I think the Wolves addition of Tony Ronzone helps. He has some sway with Rubio and could convince him to come. But here's the deal. He's not coming next year. A lockout is looming the year after that. Rubio won't come if he can't play which now puts him in the Wolves future for the start of the 2013 season. Will the Wolves be that patient, when, it's also clear Rubio would prefer to play in a bigger market with a bigger Spanish population. He holds all of the cards right now, not Minn.
From El Mundo Deportivo (link and translation via HoopsHype):
Ricky Rubio: "Yes, yes, for sure I will stay here (in Barcelona) next year."
From Charley Walters/Pioneer Press:
Rubio, who still has a five-week season in his Spanish league, has a $1.3 million buyout in his five-year Barcelona contract.
Kahn and Wolves coach Kurt Rambis will be in Spain later this month to watch Rubio and other European players, but word is Rubio is intent on playing next year with his current team, making the buyout issue — at least for next season in Minnesota — moot.
Meanwhile, Kahn is expected to wait until summer to replace assistant basketball vice president Fred Hoiberg, who left to become head coach at Iowa State.
From Ben Doody/Trentonian: Ryan Thompson: Workout with Kings a good 'icebreaker'
Thompson talked to The Trentonian by phone before boarding a flight for San Antonio, where he'll work out Wednesday for the Spurs. He's also scheduled to work out for the Timberwolves May 23, the Trailblazers June 1 and the Celtics June 19. He'll work out for several other teams next month -- a schedule that likely would have been less busy had it not been for his performance last month at the Portsmouth Invitational.
From Brad Fields/WKU Athletic Media Relations: WKU's Slaughter Has Numerous Workouts with NBA Teams Prior to June Draft
Slaughter has already worked out for the likes of the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and Portland Trailblazers. Young said he is waiting on a few more playoff teams to get back with him as well, but when it is all said and done, as many as 17 teams will have worked out the former Hilltopper star.