NBA Franchise Notes: Ricky Rubio Reportedly Staying In Europe

Rubio Reportedly Electing To Remain In Spain For Final Two Years Of Deal

Spanish-language newspaper El Periodico Thursday reported T'Wolves first-round draft pick Ricky Rubio will "remain in Spain to play" for his DKV Joventut team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than joining the T'Wolves this season (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/3). However, T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn said that "no one has told him" that Rubio will stay in Europe. Kahn said that he is "not seeking to trade Rubio, but neither is he telling teams the draftee is untouchable." In Minneapolis, Jerry Zgoda wrote the T'Wolves and their "sagging fan base could certainly use Rubio's marketing appeal immediately" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/3). SI.com's Steve Aschburner noted the T'Wolves will hold Rubio's NBA rights indefinitely, and allowing Rubio, 18, to "become 19, 20 or 21 on a Euro team's dime wouldn't be all bad" (SI.com, 7/2).

BEAR MARKET: In Memphis, Geoff Calkins wrote under the header, "Image Isn't Everything, As Griz Are Now Saying." The Grizzlies last week traded for F Zach Randolph and reportedly talked to free agent G Allen Iverson, and the "team of Shane Battier has morphed into the team of Z-Bo." Calkins: "Of course the Grizzlies should sign Allen Iverson. ... Why not at this point? What do they have to lose?" Randolph is a "name," but Iverson is an "even bigger name." Calkins: "Mix it up, Grizzlies. Don't hold back. Now that you've started down this road, nothing should be off limits" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/3).

ALL THAT JAZZ: In Salt Lake City, Gordon Monson noted the Jazz remain a "solidly good team for a perennially good franchise," but they are "not great, and standing pat will not make them great." The Jazz are "doing themselves and their fans a disservice by sitting back and altering nothing." They "need a change" -- maybe not a "huge one, maybe not a blockbuster, but a significant one" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/5).