Ricky Rubio reportedly rejects 4 year, $48 million contract extension

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/10/7/6934919/ricky-rubio-rejects-contract-extension-timberwolves


Rcky Rubio is searching for a five-year maximum extension and has rejected the Minnesota Timberwolves' best offer thus far of four years, $48 million, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News. Rubio and the Wolves have until Oct. 31 to come to an agreement on a contract extension.

As of now, a max contract for Rubio would be worth about $85 million over five years, although a change in the salary cap for next year would alter that number a bit. There's much debate over what Rubio is worth, and there are quite a few factors at play.

Why Rubio should reject the Wolves' offer

Rubio is one of the best passers in the league, averaging 8.6 assists last season and posting a top-three assist ratio. The 6'4 point guard is also a strong rebounder for his position, and he finished second in the NBA in steals per game.

While he has some serious offensive deficiencies, Rubio is still only 23 years old and has time to develop a more well-rounded game on that end. If his scoring efficiency significantly improves, a four-year, $48 million deal would be a complete steal for Minnesota, especially given the fact that the salary cap is expected to make a major jump in the next few years thanks to the enormous new television deal agreed upon Monday.

That expected cap bump will play a major factor in many, if not all, of these early extension negotiations, as players are sure to feel they're worth more. If the Wolves aren't willing to pony up for Rubio, some other team might not think twice about it next offseason because the rising cap would make a max deal more tenable.

Why Rubio should accept the Wolves' offer

Rubio has a lot of value, but at the moment, there's a cap on that value because of his inability to put the ball in the basket. He shot just 38.1 percent last season and is shooting a dreadful 36.8 percent from the field for his career. His 32.3 percent mark from three is respectable enough, but he really struggles around the rim and has no semblance of a mid-range game.

Rubio was especially bad in the fourth quarter last season, a key reason the Wolves dropped so many close games. He shot just 27.2 percent overall and 23.8 percent from three in fourth quarters last season, according to NBA.com. It's hard to justify paying a player max money with those kinds of fourth-quarter numbers.

A five-year max extension for Rubio isn't preferable for the Wolves because the CBA says a team can only have one such contract on the roster at a time. If Rubio were to receive that extension, a player like Andrew Wiggins wouldn't be eligible for one as long as Rubio was still on the team.

Considering this, that max offer may never come from Minnesota. And although the salary cap increase may give teams more money to play with, there could be some strong free-agent competition at point guard next summer, so a max offer sheet then is no guarantee.

Likelihood of Rubio and Wolves agreeing to extension

Given how far apart the two sides currently appear to be, there's about a 1/10 chance Rubio inks a five-year, max extension before the Oct. 31 deadline. There's always a chance a compromise can be reached, but if Rubio holds out for that max, he's almost certainly headed to restricted free agency next offseason. Minnesota may be more willing to match a max offer sheet then, but for now, it's tough to see them shelling out that kind of money.

[Smook A.]

He's lucky enough to get that big of a contract. Should've accepted it. A guy who's avg 10/8/4/2 on 37% for his career is DEFINITELY not worth over 12 mill a year. I have no idea how good Rubio thinks he is. To me, he is a poor man's Rondo at best.

[Fire Colangelo]

All flash no substance, I wouldn't give Rubio the max.

[Fire Colangelo]

He's lucky enough to get that big of a contract. Should've accepted it. A guy who's avg 10/8/4/2 on 37% for his career is DEFINITELY not worth over 12 mill a year. I have no idea how good Rubio thinks he is. To me, he is a poor man's Rondo at best.

He reminded me of Kidd when he first came into the league. But he really didn't progress much after his rookie season.

[Smook A.]

This reminds me of 2012 when Harden rejected the offer Thunder gave him. I kinda have a feeling the Wolves are going to trade Rubio somewhere before the NBA season starts just like OKC did with James Harden.

[Legends66NBA7]

Is Rubio even better than Greivis Vasquez ?

[Smook A.]

He reminded me of Kidd when he first came into the league. But he really didn't progress much after his rookie season.
When last season started, I thought his shooting was going to look much better but oh man... I was dead wrong.

[Smook A.]

Is Rubio even better than Greivis Vasquez ?
Not last year's Vasquez but thats probably because he didn't play as many minutes. 2012-13 Vasquez was a beast and he was no doubt better than any version of Rubio. The guy put up 14/9/4/1 on 43% with the Pelicans that year.

[Fire Colangelo]

When last season started, I thought his shooting was going to look much better but oh man... I was dead wrong.

Kidd had seasons where he shot lower than 40%, but Kidd was deceptive and ran the break like a ****ing Magician. Maybe Rubio will get better this season with better finishers around him...


Is Rubio even better than Greivis Vasquez ?

Didn't Vasquez put up like 14/9/4 on 44% on the Pelicans? Granted it was on a shitty team, but its not like the Wolves that that much better.

[Fire Colangelo]

Lowry is on a 4 year 48mil deal, how good does Rubio think he is lol...

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Any team that offers someone like Rubio the max should be contracted

[Cali Syndicate]

He will be a fringe all-star caliber player at his peak and he wants a max contract?

[andremiller07]

He will be a fringe all-star caliber player at his peak and he wants a max contract?
:biggums: No he's not, he's not even better than a number of back up PG's like Isaiah Thomas/Vasquez/Ramon Sessions. I honestly don't even know if he's better than 37 year old Andre Miller at this point.

[Cali Syndicate]

:biggums: No he's not, he's not even better than a number of back up PG's like Isaiah Thomas/Vasquez/Ramon Sessions. I honestly don't even know if he's better than 37 year old Andre Miller at this point.

I said peak, as in the best he will be in his career. he's obviously not there yet but i think he does get better something along the lines of a 15 and 10 player on decent efficiency once he gets that jumper down. And watching him miss those easiest of layups, I think it's nerves. Some of the stuff he misses are just unreal, and I don't believe it's cause he's incapable. Dude is nervous, for whatever reason IMO.

[andremiller07]

I said peak, as in the best he will be in his career. he's obviously not there yet but i think he does get better something along the lines of a 15 and 10 player on decent efficiency once he gets that jumper down. And watching him miss those easiest of layups, I think it's nerves. Some of the stuff he misses are just unreal, and I don't believe it's cause he's incapable. Dude is nervous, for whatever reason IMO.
With how stacked the PG position is he won't get close to being a fringe All-Star

[hawkfan]

With how stacked the PG position is he won't get close to being a fringe All-Star

Send him to NY for a first round pick, top 15 protected.
Let's see if Phil can do something with him.
Or maybe Shumpert for Rubio.

[coin24]

He's worth like 4/20 at best..

4/48?:roll: :roll: :roll:
Garbage overrated no impact scrub

[Cali Syndicate]

With how stacked the PG position is he won't get close to being a fringe All-Star

Well, i guess the way I'm defining fringe is giving too much credit. i'm not saying he'll be regarded as a snub or anything, but more along the lines that his production will put him among that group of players that are close but just not there as all-star caliber players. West is pretty damn stacked though.

Still, my point is that he's an idiot to think he's anywhere near a max player. This extension is generous.

[Cocaine80s]

http://cdn5.timberpups.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Lavine.jpg

[BigTicket]

$12M per year is more than he is worth. He should have taken that offer and laughed.

I wouldn't have offered him more than $35M over 4 years. He's a great passer, but he's one of the absolute worst scorers in the league, which is a major problem for a starting guard.

[el gringos]

He should take a 2 year deal. Even if it was 10-12 mill per. He has a name and will still have youth in 2 years to see this all go crazy w teams w money to spend.

[Andrew Wiggins]

:biggums: No he's not, he's not even better than a number of back up PG's like Isaiah Thomas/Vasquez/Ramon Sessions. I honestly don't even know if he's better than 37 year old Andre Miller at this point.

ramon sessions? :roll:

going full retard

[Booz Vivic]

Rubio can easily get a much better deal than that in Europe.

[Andrew Wiggins]

Rubio can easily get a much better deal than that in Europe.

no he can't

[MP.Trey]

:oldlol: In a couple years, he'll be begging for a contract that good.

[SexSymbol]

He's not worth 8 mil year.
Nobody is going to give him the max, Wolves should let him walk

[Real Men Wear Green]

Doesn't he have a deal for 240 million with adidas? Making that kind of money off-court he can afford to roll the dice on his NBA deal. It's not like Minnesota is this great situation that he should sacrifice to stay there.

[Booz Vivic]

no he can't

at CSKA at least he can. They pay mad money and got much better tax laws.

[HurricaneKid]

He is a top 4 defensive PG and arguably the best passer in the league. He also can't shoot a lick and teams sag off him to a jarring degree. He is a unique player.

You guys are getting downright ignorant when it comes to FA money though. The 2.66B TV deal means that the 2016-17 salary cap could be ~92M. That means the minimum salary threshold is going to be ~83.8M and the luxury line would be ~121M. Every FA for this year and next is going to get PAID because getting salaries up to that level is going to be a rough transition for teams.

[kurple]

rubio is underrated. not close to a max player and should hav accepted this offer

but the guy is mad underrated. a real PG

[kurple]

He is a top 4 defensive PG and arguably the best passer in the league. He also can't shoot a lick and teams sag off him to a jarring degree. He is a unique player.
sounds like rondo. difference is rubio didnt play with prime(almost) KG, Pierce and Ray

[Andrew Wiggins]

at CSKA at least he can. They pay mad money and got much better tax laws.

still nowhere near what he would earn with that contract, tax free and all

[joe]

The AAU complex blinds fans to what a true basketball point guard should be. Great and willing passer, excellent defense, smart play. He didn't spend his entire youth learning to score like most US point guards. He learned higher level skills. When the scoring comes these anti-Rubio people will be dumbfounded.

[hawkfan]

Rubio to Boston for Rondo.

[navy]

sounds like rondo. difference is rubio didnt play with prime(almost) KG, Pierce and Ray
Rondo can score....

[chips93]

The AAU complex blinds fans to what a true basketball point guard should be. Great and willing passer, excellent defense, smart play. He didn't spend his entire youth learning to score like most US point guards. He learned higher level skills. When the scoring comes these anti-Rubio people will be dumbfounded.

when is it gonna come?

he shot 33% from within 10 feet last year, thats scrub like.

he kills his teams offense with his lack of scoring

[MP.Trey]

sounds like rondo. difference is rubio didnt play with prime(almost) KG, Pierce and Ray
The difference is Rondo can kill you scoring off offensive boards, fast breaks, dribble drives and cuts. Rubio is out of control in nearly all those situations. Not only can he not shoot from the perimeter, he can't finish through contact either. He's a great passer, crafty defender and good ball handler but completely worthless in most other facets of rhe game. Making him a good role player, nothing better at the moment. My opinion of course.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

He will be a fringe starter at his peak and he wants a max contract?
fixed

[Levity]

i can understand everyone saying his declining that, or even being given a contract that big, is laughable. but if he doesn't think its worth it, it may behoove him to take the QO and hit UFA next season

he has the keys to the Wolves this season. the offense will revolve around him entirely. he can have a HUGE impact this season, but only if he really is the player he believe he is. and if he does, then maybe a close max will be in his future.

itll be a tough/daring choice for him to make. really curious to see how it plays out.

[Nastradamus]

Rubio is the new Rondo.

[gts]

You guys are getting downright ignorant when it comes to FA money though. The 2.66B TV deal means that the 2016-17 salary cap could be ~92M. That means the minimum salary threshold is going to be ~83.8M and the luxury line would be ~121M. Every FA for this year and next is going to get PAID because getting salaries up to that level is going to be a rough transition for teams.

not sure about the numbers but your thinking is right on point.. this contract offer to Rubio now will be considered a bargain in two years

when negotiating contracts teams from this point on until when the TV contract money starts pouring in will not only be competing against other teams for a player but will be negotiating against the future. We started to see the big contract this summer and they're only going to get bigger next summer as teams try and balance out the current cap against the future cap to retain/sign players

[NBAplayoffs2001]

He could end up being a poor man Jason William or a poor man Jason Kidd. His handles are no where near as good as Jason Williams but he's a better defender. At least he doens't pull from 3s out of nowhere 5 feet behind the 3 point line like J Will did for SAC. Smh, his performance in 2001 vs Lakers in the playoffs was pitiful.

[Denitron]

Take the money, fool :biggums:

[ALBballer]

I can't decide who is crazier the Wolves for offering that type of money or Rubio for turning that down.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

I can't decide who is crazier the Wolves for offering that type of money or Rubio for turning that down.

Is Isiah Thomas their GM? :biggums: :biggums:

[3peated]

he should wait until next year when it might change.

[deja vu]

He's a decent jumpshooter, he only has difficulty with finishing around the rim. Probably has to do with upper body strength.

His court vision and passing are out of this world. And he's among the top defensive guards.

Teams would still be willing to overpay for him.

[ILLsmak]

This reminds me of 2012 when Harden rejected the offer Thunder gave him. I kinda have a feeling the Wolves are going to trade Rubio somewhere before the NBA season starts just like OKC did with James Harden.


For Bledsoe eh.

-Smak

[ILLsmak]

not sure about the numbers but your thinking is right on point.. this contract offer to Rubio now will be considered a bargain in two years

when negotiating contracts teams from this point on until when the TV contract money starts pouring in will not only be competing against other teams for a player but will be negotiating against the future. We started to see the big contract this summer and they're only going to get bigger next summer as teams try and balance out the current cap against the future cap to retain/sign players

but will it be worth wearing sleeves...

-Smak

[Real14]

I don't think he wanted to be in minnesota in the first place and since love left I definitely don't blame him. (Come to the knicks ricky)

[SexSymbol]

I don't think he wanted to be in minnesota in the first place and since love left I definitely don't blame him. (Come to the knicks ricky)
Knicks suck enough as they are, why would you want them to have another terribly overrated player on the roster to not make the playoffs yet again?

[pastis]

tha sad thing about this story: either wolves or another team will gave hm the max....:facepalm :facepalm

he is worth 8-10 mio a year... AT BEST.

[outbreak]

From what I've read on other players contracts recently I think he's probably making a smart move. Everyone thinks prices are going to increase and seem to be willing to pay more now assuming the contract will be a bargain with the new cap. He should hold out or resign for a short deal like Lebron

[Real14]

Knicks suck enough as they are, why would you want them to have another terribly overrated player on the roster to not make the playoffs yet again?
Melo missed the playoffs only one time and will not miss it again. Mark my words.

[SexSymbol]

Melo missed the playoffs only one time and will not miss it again. Mark my words.
I'm not questioning his ability, I'm questioning pretty much everyone else's on the roster. One man can only do so much

[SpecialQue]

Pricky Pube-io thinking he's worth top dollar just because he's sexually attractive. :facepalm

[Pointguard]

I'm just thinking that he doesn't like Minny and knows he has them by the balls. Why make it easy for them, when they have proven they can't keep their better players. He knows he's a key piece in their plans. He stays only if they overpay. At best, he still is a middle of the pack point guard but does have a couple of outstanding qualities that certain teams could really benefit from - Minny isn't one of them and won't be for the length of his next contract.

[King Boozer]

Rubio's stock has gone down since never being much of an impact in MIN. But like Love, i can see him going to a star studded team.

Imagine Rubio in NY, MIA or HOU. Can IND make a move for him? Lakers may be in the running, i can see them paying Rubio max $ and him becoming super popular there.

I can see him getting better offensively and i definitely see him as a triple double threat, just like Rondo if he leaves MIN for a better team.

He will get paid though, no doubt.

[3peated]

I'm not questioning his ability, I'm questioning pretty much everyone else's on the roster. One man can only do so much

iverson doe

[Eric Cartman]

Contracts like these should be why owners should have no leverage come lockout negotiations.

[tontoz]

When your primary ball handler can't score that is a big problem. Rondo never had the kind of scoring problems Rubio has. Rubio would have a hard time scoring in a high school game.

[Eric Cartman]

When your primary ball handler can't score that is a big problem. Rondo never had the kind of scoring problems Rubio has. Rubio would have a hard time scoring in a high school game.

http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6731653/rickynooo.0_standard_352.0.gif

[midatlantic09]

Not sure why ANYONE would think this guy is worth more than $25-30 million over 4 years. He's a fool for turning down $48 million and any GM who offers him even more than $48 million is an even bigger fool who doesn't deserve to be an NBA GM.

[oh the horror]

That contract was fine. If I'm their GM I let him take a walk. The kid hasn't progressed much if at all. There are better people to throw money at.

[kNIOKAS]

He's lucky enough to get that big of a contract. Should've accepted it. A guy who's avg 10/8/4/2 on 37% for his career is DEFINITELY not worth over 12 mill a year. I have no idea how good Rubio thinks he is. To me, he is a poor man's Rondo at best.
Only 23 years old, still. He might have been around too long for his own good...

[aj1987]

Only 23 years old, still. He might have been around too long for his own good...
Good defender and can pass the ball. Not elite at either of those things. Dude is a garbage ass scorer though. Definitely not wort $12M a year. ~$6M-$8M is the max he should get.

[AintNoSunshine]

LMFAO hes not even worth that and he turned it down.

[bdreason]

He probably just doesn't want to resign with Minnesota.