NBA News: Ricky Rubio Nears Extension With Minnesota Timberwolves

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves will be discussing a contract extension with the team when he returns to the United States.

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, a Minnesota-based website, reported on Sunday that the 23-year-old Rubio and Minnesota team owner Glen Taylor have been discussing the probable deal over the phone and both are near an agreement.

Minnesota’s offer is apparently at $11 million per year in a contract that will run for four years. Earlier reports out of the contract talks is that Rubio’s camp is demanding the possible maximum contract worth $75 million over 5 years or around $15M per season.

If Minnesota and Rubio don’t agree to a deal by the end of October, the flashy Spanish PG will hit restricted free agency (RFA) status— which means any team can sign him to a contract with Minnesota able to match any offer.

To compare, here are some point guards with salaries in range of Rubio’s demand and what Minnesota is offering:

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder ($15.7M)

John Wall, Washington Wizards ($13.7M)
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics ($12.9M)

Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets ($11.6M)

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors ($10.6M)

Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans ($9.9M)

Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers ($9.7M)

Mike Conley Jr., Memphis Grizzlies ($8.7M)

Jeremy Lin, Los Angeles Lakers ($8.3M)

(All salary info from draftexpress.com)

Rubio was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft although it took two years before he finally moved to the big leagues. The 6-foot-4 PG moved to the NBA in 2011 and is now entering his fourth season as an NBA player.

Rubio has career averages of 10.1 points, 8.6 assists and 2.3 steals so far. The biggest criticism on his game is the lack of an reliable jumpshot or ability to finish. Rubio shot just 36.8% overall from the field an an even worse 32.3% from behind the arc.

Rubio had a mediocre showing in the recent 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain averaging 5.4 points and 5.1 assists in just 21 minutes of play per game.

In the crucial knockout game against France, Rubio missed 6-of-7 shots from the field and finished with just 4 points. Spain, which were the hosts, got booted out of the tournament in the quarterfinals in what is considered the biggest upset in the entire tournament.