David Kahn, Minnesota Timberwolves
President, Basketball Operations
Q: On watching Ricky Rubio play in Europe.
Kahn: He looked good. He’s only 19, for God’s sakes, so he has room for improvement. He really had, from what I can see, he had a really good year. He grew physically and I think he really had to grow emotionally and mentally because he had to step on to a really good team and fit in, and then after fitting in he had to become the leader and the point guard. He did it beautifully. I am very pleased with his development and I think there will be a day in the future where we look forward to welcoming him in a Timberwolves uniform.
Q: Would you still play him if he’s not going to be ...
Kahn: I don’t think so because his club team spent 5.3 million U.S. for the rights to give the buyout. The way the contract treads, the first time he can be bought out is after the second year. You can make the argument that where we are in our development, maybe this is for the best. As I said last summer, it will take five to seven years before we know what was best. But looking back on this past year, I say it was probably better for us and better for him that he spent this past year in Barcelona.
Q: Donnie Walsh is a special person to you and he’s in the spotlight now with Lebron. What do you think about the Knicks now?
Kahn: Donnie will always be a special person in my career, I just visited with him Friday. I made a point of stopping by his office to tell him he’s not getting Rubio (laughter). That’s a lot of pressure and I feel for him. I think he did exactly what he set out to do and what he needed to do but now that he’s done it, I just hope the pressure doesn’t become too overwhelming because so much is riding on it. Having said that, there is pressure on all of us, especially those of us that are tying to regroup or rebuild, whatever you want to call it.
Q: Do you have cap space?
Kahn: Yeah, we have about $15 million.
Q: Which is a little lower than the Mavs …
Kahn: Depending on what other trick is up my sleeve. And I just saved a few bucks here.
Q: So could you be a factor in …
A: Absolutely. My prediction is that this is going to be the summer of the sign and trade. I think there will be a ton of sign and trades out there and what’s important when you’re signing and trading is that you have to have something to trade.
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