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Ricky Rubio's agent and the Minnesota Timberwolves have discussed a contract extension for the point guard and talks will continue until the Oct. 31 deadline.

"I'm loyal," Rubio said. "I want to give them back what they gave me there: a lot of love."

Rubio would become a restricted free agent if the two sides cannot reach a new deal.

Flip Saunders must decide on the Timberwolves' vision of Rubio as a franchise cornerstone.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Shots fired!

Franchise cornerstone? More like.... brick.

Calinks wrote:Shots fired!

lol rubio taking shots at love is hilarious like they have similar talent and value. I read a report that rubio and his agent are trying to leverage the wolves loss of love to try and pry a 5 year 80M max deal to retain rubio. No chance in he** wolves or any team is dumb enough to pay him that cash. I'd give rubio 4 years 40M max (nothing more nothing less). The wolves should save their 5 year designated player extension which they didn't use on love (Kahn's stupidity lit the fire on the kevin love mess) for wiggins who likely will be a star. If rubio and wolves don't agree on extension - I could see rubio go the greg monroe route and play his qualifying offer for the 15-16 season and become ufa nd get a max deal in a saturated market. Rubio was on the record when he was in Spain that he dreamed of playing for the knicks who wanted to draft him but the wolves picked him first.

Unless Rubio greatly improves his shooting he is definitely not worth the max.

We'll see how loyal he really is. If he doesn't significantly improve his shot, he is worth 9-10 mil a year.

"I'm loyal," Rubio said. "I want to give them back what they gave me there: a lot of love."

I see what you did there, Ricky.. Well played.

americans sports figures usually are not very loyal, especially in the NBA, especially this day in age. dirk and duncan gave back, but i dont really consider duncan fully american since he was born elsewhere.

Of course he is now that he got a franchise player in return for Love - lots of alley-oops and fast breaks to be had

Still not convinced he is a max-contract guy yet, if he can increase his scoring and become more consistent...then maybe

jizzme wrote:americans sports figures usually are not very loyal, especially in the NBA, especially this day in age. dirk and duncan gave back, but i dont really consider duncan fully american since he was born elsewhere.

You let the media brainwash you. Why should these guys take paycuts? You are a professional athlete, your job is to make as much money as you can while you are at the top of your game. The owners don't give a damn about the players, they see them as pawns just to make money off of.

Rubio's agent has his ear. Of course he's willing to sign now that Love is out of the picture. All that money just made itself available to the "best" player on the roster.

Rubio still needs to either improve his defense dramatically or improve his shooting dramatically... Or improve both to some type of average standard. Then I may consider him as a big money guy. Right now he seems like a poor man's Calderon.

CHAMPi0N wrote:Rubio's agent has his ear. Of course he's willing to sign now that Love is out of the picture. All that money just made itself available to the "best" player on the roster.

Rubio still needs to either improve his defense dramatically or improve his shooting dramatically... Or improve both to some type of average standard. Then I may consider him as a big money guy. Right now he seems like a poor man's Calderon.

Huh? Rubio's defense is the only thing that makes him respectable at this moment? Do you watch the Wolves, at all? Shooting and finishing is what he needs...strictly shooting and finishing. The rest of his game is Tuco.....but the shots need to fall if he wants some money.

CHAMPi0N wrote:Rubio's agent has his ear. Of course he's willing to sign now that Love is out of the picture. All that money just made itself available to the "best" player on the roster.

Rubio still needs to either improve his defense dramatically or improve his shooting dramatically... Or improve both to some type of average standard. Then I may consider him as a big money guy. Right now he seems like a poor man's Calderon.

This is got to be one of the worst comparisons I've heard in my life.

Ricky - elite defense and passing, beyond awful shooting, regularly takes risks.

Calderon - black hole on defense, tremendous shooter, extremely conservative.

I mean, did you even think that for a second? Or is it that you haven't watched either of them play and just came up with that because of their nationality? In either case, good job sir.

He's "Loyal" because he knows, his agent knows, every GM in the league knows, every owner with the exception of Glen Taylor knows that Ricky is not worth anywhere near the money he is asking for. Over pay Glenny

Antrim wrote:

CHAMPi0N wrote:Rubio's agent has his ear. Of course he's willing to sign now that Love is out of the picture. All that money just made itself available to the "best" player on the roster.

Rubio still needs to either improve his defense dramatically or improve his shooting dramatically... Or improve both to some type of average standard. Then I may consider him as a big money guy. Right now he seems like a poor man's Calderon.

This is got to be one of the worst comparisons I've heard in my life.

Ricky - elite defense and passing, beyond awful shooting, regularly takes risks.

Calderon - black hole on defense, tremendous shooter, extremely conservative.

I mean, did you even think that for a second? Or is it that you haven't watched either of them play and just came up with that because of their nationality? In either case, good job sir.

Rubio is far from an elite defender. He is one of the best at playing the passing lanes, but thats about it

nikster wrote:

Antrim wrote:

CHAMPi0N wrote:Rubio's agent has his ear. Of course he's willing to sign now that Love is out of the picture. All that money just made itself available to the "best" player on the roster.

Rubio still needs to either improve his defense dramatically or improve his shooting dramatically... Or improve both to some type of average standard. Then I may consider him as a big money guy. Right now he seems like a poor man's Calderon.

This is got to be one of the worst comparisons I've heard in my life.

Ricky - elite defense and passing, beyond awful shooting, regularly takes risks.

Calderon - black hole on defense, tremendous shooter, extremely conservative.

I mean, did you even think that for a second? Or is it that you haven't watched either of them play and just came up with that because of their nationality? In either case, good job sir.

Rubio is far from an elite defender. He is one of the best at playing the passing lanes, but thats about it

We're gonna have to disagree on this one.

Flight33 wrote:

jizzme wrote:americans sports figures usually are not very loyal, especially in the NBA, especially this day in age. dirk and duncan gave back, but i dont really consider duncan fully american since he was born elsewhere.

You let the media brainwash you. Why should these guys take paycuts? You are a professional athlete, your job is to make as much money as you can while you are at the top of your game. The owners don't give a damn about the players, they see them as pawns just to make money off of.

nope not brainwashed by media...apparently you are brainwashed by the nba. there is this false "goal" of winning a championship, which really all it means is bragging rights and a cut of the winning share. Pretty sure it doesn't come close to their annual salaries. to be honest, players are embracing the "winning" mentality because it sells their brand. so while there is this idea that people confuse between really wanting to win and just saying you want to win to get the higher dollar, it really does come down to how much these guys get paid and how much you can stuff inside the salary cap. the fact that all of them get handsomely overpaid already, just shows how a little selfless a player can be to take less money, which really helps their brand, especially if they win.

PGs that can pass are a dime a dozen. PGs that can score and create their own shot are most valued. PGs that can defend are next in line. Rubio can do neither of these. Rbuio is a career 37% shooter from the field, 33% from three, and is an above average passer. Rubio is a below average defender. Mash all that up and you are looking at a guy that deserves $5-6m per.

Pryftan wrote:PGs that can pass are a dime a dozen. PGs that can score and create their own shot are most valued. PGs that can defend are next in line. Rubio can do neither of these. Rbuio is a career 37% shooter from the field, 33% from three, and is an above average passer. Rubio is a below average defender. Mash all that up and you are looking at a guy that deserves $5-6m per.

Agreed. At last, someone who's been watching Rubio recently.

I also don't understand how LeBron James can get 22M+ per given that he can't score, pass or defend. I'd give him MLE money, not one penny more.

Ohhhhh that's why wants a five year deal.. I previously thought it was because he wanted more money, but it actually because he's loyal. Thanks for clearing that up ricky! /green