| Rubio Rumor Mill Approaching F5 Status |
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| Written by Matthew Noe |
| Tuesday, 16 June 2009 23:27 |
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First out of the gate: were I an international player of note, I do not know that Don Fegan would be my first choice of agent. The Yi issue turned into quite a bungle, and the strategy seemingly being employed by Fegan regarding Ricky Rubio doesn't seem to be working out so well. So where are the latest rumored destinations for the much-heralded-but-only-18 point guard?? Jonathon Givony shares this little tidbit about a potential/rumored/possible/etc. deal that would bring the Love Train back to Memphis (remember, of course, he was a Grizzly for about, oh, three hours or so last June) in return for the #2 pick and the ever-essential "filler". Barf, unless Marko Jaric is the "filler" and we get one of their first-rounders back as compensation. Kevin Love is by no means a horrible basketball player, and did very well as a rookie, albeit on a team that was just exactly as bad as the Grizzlies (remember, "better than our record" is complete horsehockey)....but to pair him with Marc Gasol means two things: two tall guys with great vision for passing, and two guys who move sideways with all the agility of a subway car. Someone at PF with a bit more athleticism would be the ideal fit for the Grizzlies, although Kevy-Kev's as-yet-underdeveloped outside range is enviable in a true 4. To dump Marko back to the tundra of Minnesota would be awesome...but it's not enough to make it worth giving up the second pick just to get a player who, admittedly, would likely have been an easy top-fiver again this year. One can see the Grizzlies' logic here, though-we know it's a guy they liked in last year's draft, they get to get out from under what could be a real headache of a pick with Rubio and perhaps dump the only thing that could be termed a "bad contract" that they currently possess. Getting the Wolves' 6 or 18 could net a solid player-perhaps even Knees Blair if he goes uber-precipitous-but I've seen no mention of a pick coming back down the Mississippi in the rumored deal (or of them taking back Jaric, for that matter). The Celtics? Huh? And this is the rumored offer? Perkisachumpythug.com and Bill Walker? Really? No, seriously now. What was the offer? Oh. That's really what was rumored to be offered? Oh, I'm sorry,I couldn't hear you, I think I was just deafened by the laughter of Chris Wallace somewhere as he heard that rather indecent proposal. Heck, if I were Danny Ainge, I'd float that offer too. Why not? All someone can say is no, and if they say yes, then you look like the biggest genius ever. Ok. That's enough about the absurd offer from Boston. No fit, injury history, and I cannot stand Kendrick Perkins. And darnit, I'm important. Are there really any valid, examination-worthy trade partners out there for the Grizzlies when it comes to Ricky Rubio? There just aren't as many as one might think..unless some team comes from VERY far in left field with a total-knockout offer at the proverbial eleventh hour. One would hope that to trade down in the lottery, that there would be an exchange of lottery picks plus an asset in the form of either a reasonably-priced vet who fills a need (which could be just about anyone as far as the Grizz are concerned)..or maybe a higher-priced vet who is not a "problem contract". To trade *out* of the lottery, the benefits received MUST go up appreciably-the age range of the player received will be much tighter (i.e. close to prime for his position), the player coming to the Grizz must be a top starter at his position, the partner must take back Marko Jaric, who sucks, and future picks must also be a consideration. I would not be surprised at all if sometime later in the evening on June 25th, that an announcement comes out that Rubio has been traded to...some team who has yet to be mentioned. This opinion is based on exactly zero inside information...it's just based on the fact that many, even most, large-scale draft-day deals lay under opaque wraps until the time comes... .....now we'll delve into even more pure subjectivity on my part. What do I want to see go down? I wouldn't mind at all for the Grizzlies to draft and keep Rubio...he is, by all accounts, a truly special talent, and is barely old enough to drive himself to the arena. I'm personally torn on the possibility of Emeka Okafor-he is athletic, but not particularly quick of foot, and his offensive game is..uh...well...not so much. Again, to have a player with range next to Gasol is imperative (not that Marc doesn't have it-he does-but his place is in the lane bullcharging people into submission), and Okafor does not have that. So many possiblities stem from so many malleable outcomes.... ...come on, June 25th... ..on second thought, this sense of anticipation is pretty cool :). Draft night can wait a bit and we junkies can just keep flyin' 'til then.... |
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