Rubio for #3? - Stray Thought

[shrink]

Anyone who's read my trades over the years knows my basic mantra. Try to send the player to the team that would desire him the most to create additional trade value, so both teams can move closer to their goals vs the rest of the league.

So I've been reading about the Nets new Russian owner, and I am wondering if that he might value Rubio even more than Kahn?

Mikhail Prokhorov owned a team in Europe, and is probably is more familar with Rubio's play than any other owner. He knows how Rubio is marketed over there. He has said that he wants to make the Nets an international team - one that he can market worldwide. And he's a billionaire that's used to getting what he wants. Could he value Rubio more than anyone at #3?

With the #3 in our pocket, I think we could get Evan Turner at #2 without having to touch #4 or take on Elton Brand.

I know Kahn loves Rubio, and I have long said that there is probably no team more built to wait on him, or in need of his high upside, than MIN. I have him on my very short "He's more valuable to us than you" list -- more valuable here than in any of the other 29 teams.

But what's your impression? Would Prokhorov say no? Would Kahn? Would both?

Do you think Prokhorov would give more than any other team in the NBA?

[lobishome]

[The J Rocka]

Kahn I believe does this only if Turner is there.

[shangrila]

There was a rumour a while back that said New Jersey would push hard with their pick to get Rubio if they missed out on Wall, so I guess it's possible.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Turner's measurements have made me think twice about him becoming a sure thing star that he was pre-combine and even then there's the chance Philadelphia loves him so much they don't want to give him up, meaning this team could end up with Favors and Cousins.

Besides, I just want to see Rubio in a Wolves uniform. Finding pass first guys like him are rare and if nothing else actually getting him to come over and play for us would be a giant middle finger to New York and ESPN/New York media, which would be worth it even if Rubio fell flat on his face.

[C.lupus]

Kahn I believe does this only if Wall is there at 4.

fixed

[Krapinsky]

I think Thorn says no. I don't think Prokhorov is going to have much of a hand in basketball decisions. NJ wants to sign free agents this summer and passing on Favors for a point guard that might come over the following year is not going to help them.

I'd also say no one values Rubio more than Kahn. His future job security is basically tied to Rubio playing for the Wolves and being a star. [warning ridiculous analogy coming] I think Kahn has a vision, and that is to be an orchestra. He has his conductor in Rubio. To trade his conductor would mean the orchestra can't play. To trade Rubio would mean he might as well be starting a blues band instead. Now that blues band might be just as good as the orchestra, but it's hard to just reverse course and get someone to start a blues band when they've had their mind made up to start an orchestra all along.

[The J Rocka]

Kahn I believe does this only if Wall is there at 4.

fixed

Cousins/Darko
Big Al/Randolph
Randolph/Brewer
Turner/Ellington
Flynn/Sessions

Traded Love for Randolph straight up.
Traded Rubio for 3 (Turner)
Plus we have 16 and 23.

I bet Kahn has typed up this lineup on his own computer, one helluva lineup and he knows it especially. Kahn loves Rubio like his own child (sarcasm) but he also knows that we aren't gonna get a scoring SG/SF at pick 4, through trade, or free agency, and that's gonna be a big problem. If Turner is there and the Nets want Rubio, don't expect Kahn to hang up the phone.

[lobishome]

And he's a billionaire that's used to getting what he wants. Could he value Rubio more than anyone at #3

Turner < Rubio, and probably Prokhorov isn't the only one billionaire interested on Rubio.

[cpfsf]

I'm not opposed to a Rubio trade as long as we get fair value back. That is very unlikely of course unless you consider Wilson Chandler to be elite NBA talent.







Sorry, I couldn't keep a straight face. If we did trade him though, I would want to see if we could find a way to get Parker. Parker and Jefferson can both make Subway commercials together.

[Darko Miliminutes]

I could give a second or twos worth of thought on trading Rubio for the #3. BUT ONLY if Turner was there. Then after i thought about it briefly, i'd 8itch smack myself and not make the trade. I think Rubio will have tremendous value in a couple years.

And yeah i think their new owner is really going to try very aggressively to succeed. Tons of dough, and as you said, he'll have a great understanding of Rubio's international marketing value. If he wants something, i can picture him doing what ever he thinks is needed to get it done.

I think Rubio has too much future value to do it though.

[shrink]

And before outsiders read the title and call me a mega-homer, I just want to note for the record that I understand that if I posted on the trade board, that 99% of the responses from other fans would be:

"What!?? Rubio's not worth the #3!"

The difference here is that we may be talking about the value that two very specific owners put on a very specific player. Like two millionaire stamp collectors trying to outbid each other for a rare stamp. Most people would say the stamp isn't worth it, but it carries a higher value to those two specific guys.

[lobishome]

And before outsiders read the title and call me a mega-homer, I just want to note for the record that I understand that if I posted on the trade board, that 99% of the responses from other fans would be:

"What!?? Rubio's not worth the #3!"

The difference here is that we may be talking about the value that two very specific owners put on a very specific player. Like two millionaire stamp collectors trying to outbid each other for a rare stamp. Most people would say the stamp isn't worth it, but it carries a higher value to those two specific guys.

[moss_is_1]

I would think we'd try to get 3 so we could pair Favors and Rubio.

[Twolves98]

How much do the Nets value Lopez could we possibly fit him in a trade for Rubio. I would really consider it but I doubt they would do it.

[and1GS]

After hearing from some T'Wolves fans Rubio is definitely worth more to your team than you would acquire in a trade, and rightfully so. When your team isn't that great it doesn't make much sense to ship off a high draft pick that hasn't played in the NBA yet for the same thing. Especially when you've invested so much into the latter.

[funkatron101]

With another year away from him possibly coming over, my mind is pretty set on his value being "not much" to other teams. Perhaps I'm just being too pessimistic. I think the whole "collector" metaphor, while an interesting take, just seems like wild speculation.

How much do the Nets value Lopez could we possibly fit him in a trade for Rubio. I would really consider it but I doubt they would do it.

Nets fans claim Lopez is untouchable.

[Steve_Holiday]

The premise of this thread is from out of left field: the Nets new owner is Russian, therefore he will value a Spanish player more highly than all other owners (i.e. the market value)?

Because of this, the Wolves trade away the supposed centerpiece of their future plans for the #3 pick...giving them a shot at drafting Favors and Cousins?? If Turner drops a slot, then this would be an easy "yes" for a Wolves...allowing them to wash their hands of Red Ships of Spain. If not, then the whole thing gets even more confusing for this team, even if the value is right.

But there's no way in the world a GM would ever give up a top pick for a Spanish ghost. He's still just as unproven as all other draftees from an NBA perspective, he'll take at least a year (more likely two) to come over, and he has contract leverage. If the Rube is traded this off-season, I'd be absolutely shocked if it was for a top 5 pick.

[karch34]

If Turner drops it could be within the realm of possibility. I wouldn't necessarily be against it, but I think we'd have to look at getting Harris or something significant included to make it worthwhile. Harris wouldn't be in their future plans if they got Rubio and is a former All Star.

[Tirion]

No.
Rubio is better than Turner (or Favors/Cousins).
Plus he's much more marketable.

[Tirion]

I mean Turner is nice and I like him. A lot. But Rubio is:

1) younger;
2) more accomplished;
3) more proven;
4) his position holds more value;
5) has more elite level skills;
6) more marketable.

I can see favoring Wall over Ricky (although that's debatable also), but Turner is a lower tier.