UPDATE: The Minnesota Timberwolves have confirmed that Rubio will join them for the 2011-12 season.  The Wolves will have a formal press conference at the Target Center on Tuesday (6/21).

According to sources, the future point guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio has reached an agreement for a buyout from his team: Regal FC Barcelona and is all set to join the TWolves in the NBA.

Tomorrow (Friday, June 17th), Rubio is expected to announce his departure at a press conference in Spain.

Rubio, the Wolves & Barcelona were able to meet the May 31st deadline for Ricky to be paid his rookie salary.  Had he not signed by the 31st, he would have been under the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement-whatever they may be…

In order for Rubio to come play he had to be granted permission from his, now former, team-Barcelona, who had to get approval from FIBA which had to be sent to NBA Commissioner David Stern who had to sign off on the entire ‘thing’.

After all that and two years of waiting, Wolves fans and the rest of the NBA will finally get a chance to see Ricky Rubio in action.

Ricky has been compared to Pete “Pistol Pete” Maravich, for not only his physical attributes, but also his flashy passing, ballhandling skills & floor vision.  Rubio stands at 6-4 and has a wingspan of 6-9 as he’ll turn just 21 years old in October.

According to sources, David Stern still has to give his approval, but they’re saying that’s simply a formality: “It’s done!”

Stay tuned all year round for your TWolves news, information & updates, remember to tune in daily.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

A recent report from the Pioneer Press discussed the Minnesota Timberwolves’ jersey sales.

The clear-cut favorite among TWolves jersey buyers has been MIP & All-Star Kevin Love.  However, now that Euro-sensation Ricky Rubio will finally play for the Wolves, Mr. Love could have some competition on his hands…and he knows it.

“I’m assuming he’s going to take over the number one spot.  I mean, it looks good to have ‘Love’ on the back of the jersey, but (Rubio) is going to have a lot of flair and Spanish flavor and he’s going to be fun to watch.”  Love also stated, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he overtakes me as the number one jersey seller in Minneapolis.  Who knows?”

There’s no word yet on what number Rubio will be wearing for the Wolves.  In Spain, he wore #9 for FC Barcelona.  That number is available in Minnesota, so we’ll see.

Keep an eye out Wolves fans for your Rubio jerseys next season.  Thanks for reading and remember to check daily for updates, news & information on the TWolves all year round.  GO WOLVES!

UPDATE: (June 4, 2011 @12:30pmCT).  Anthony Tolliver, a reserve forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves spoke about his coach’s situation.  Tolliver says it’s not really affecting the players, unless this drags on until the start of training camp.  ”It would be great for him (to get an answer), but for us at this point right now it doesn’t really make too much a difference.  I’ve supported Kurt and think he’s a good coach.  He has some things he needs to work on just like we do as players.  Nobody’s perfect.  Hopefully we bring him back, but if they don’t, I have to respect that decision and move forward.  It’s a business,” Tolliver explained.

Today current Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis had an unexpected “talk” with the media about his current situation.

Rambis said that this isn’t how he’d personally handle the situation, but ultimately it’s out of his hands. He also stated that he was at the pre-draft workouts because, “The way I see it, I’m doing my job. I’m still the coach of this team until something happens.” and that as of now he’ll proceed as though he will be the coach next season.

When asked if he thought the potential lockout had anything to do with this “weird situation”, he responded simply, “Don’t know.” He also stated that he was unsure whether he’d be involved in the draft preparations in the next three weeks and as of now, he’s heading home to Los Angeles today (6-3). He said he wasn’t at the draft combine in Chicago because that’s mostly just interviews and not evaluating play.

As of right now, Rambis is unsure of his situation, ultimately a lot of shrugs and unanswered questions.

Right now, GM David Kahn, Assistant GM Tony Ronzone & scout Pete Philo are heading to Italy and points elsewhere for Eurocamp featuring top draft prospects. They’ll also be stopping off in Spain to see the Euro-Finals featuring the future TWolves point guard: Ricky Rubio.

That’s all for now, thanks for reading and stay tuned for all your TWolves news and information all offseason long. GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ #5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft: Ricky Rubio still has some ‘obstacles’ to hurdle if he’s going to be in a Wolves uni for the ‘11-‘12 campaign (whenever that may start).

The TWolves were hoping to have a buyout negotiated and a contract signed with Rubio earlier this month, but that has yet to happen.  If Rubio wants to avoid the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he has until May 31st to sign with the Wolves, otherwise he’d have to sign a contract under the new rules of the CBA (most likely: a lot less money).

One source with knowledge on the situation, put the chance of Rubio coming over to the Wolves for next season at 90%, however there is still a very good chance he could spend another year over in Spain.

According to a source, Ricky has ‘warmed up’ to playing for Minnesota after the Timberwolves representatives have made numerous & regular trips to Spain, since he was drafted in 2009.

Rubio has been coming off the bench for Barcelona and according to this source, they’re looking at making some ‘personnel’ changes and they think it may be time for Rubio to move on.

If Rubio comes over, there’s a very good chance he could be the TWolves starter for next season.  Before that happens however, he’d need to negotiate a buyout with Barcelona, which would cost him $1,000,000, half of which the Timberwolves organization could/would pay ($500,000).

That’s all for now, thanks for reading and remember, you can find all your up-to-date TWolves news and information right here all offseason long.  GO WOLVES!

The Timberwolves have officially been in the “offseason” for the past month and since that loss to the Houston Rockets to end the year for Minnesota, Kurt Rambis has retreated to his home in Los Angeles. 

For a month we’ve heard rumors that sway back-and-forth as to whether Rambis will be fired or remain courtside for another try next season (whenever/if that happens).

A year ago, Rambis was very involved in the pre-draft workouts and he even accompanied Kahn to Spain to visit Rubio along with a few other players.  This season however, he’s remained in LA, while Kahn and assistant GM Tony Ronzone travelled to Spain.  Rambis was also absent at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

However, Kahn and Rambis’ agent say that his presence isn’t an issue, as he “wasn’t needed” in Chicago.  His agent says that he (Rambis) was involved last year, because it was his first year on the job and added that, not a lot of coaches are/were present at the Draft Combine.

Rambis has also been an ESPN Analyst for the NBA Playoffs since the Wolves’ season ended and while the Lakers were still in the “hunt” he was in attendance at every home (LA) game.

There’s been no timetable set yet, Rambis’ agent says that he (Kurt) has two more years on his contract and they’re waiting to hear from Kahn.

Rambis was however at today’s (Monday 5-23) NBA Pre-Draft Workouts that were held at the Target Center.  According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (via Twitter), Kahn and Rambis didn’t sit together and they weren’t talking to the media about Rambis’ future with the team.  However, Zgoda noted, that by his presence, it should move the issue forward, because Kahn and Rambis have to meet at some point to talk things out.  Zgoda also reiterated the fact that Rambis’ presence at the Workouts didn’t mean anything one way or another, like in Chicago for the Combine, it was also optional for him to be there today.

That’s all for now, who knows when we’ll be hearing more on Rambis, hopefully soon.  Until then, thanks for reading and remember, you can get all your up-to-date TWolves news and information all offseason long right here.  GO WOLVES!

First and foremost, I assure you, the above image is photoshopped, so don’t get too excited Wolves fans!  That being said, according to sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves are extremely optimistic that their “future point guard” will be sporting the blue & green for the ‘11-‘12 campaign…whenver that may begin.

Word is GM David Kahn is on the verge of signing the ‘09 Draft pick after multiple tries in multiple summers.  Although nothing is yet finalized, things should be “coming together” in the coming weeks.

If Rubio does sign that creates the NBA Draft debacle.  Theoretically if the Wolves get the top pick (they have the greatest mathematical chance: 25%), then the choice has to be point guard Kyrie Irving, as he is the best player in the draft.  Come May 17th (the NBA Lottery date) if the Wolves obtain that top pick and they’re able to sign Rubio, you can expect the Wolves to trade the top pick for a veteran for their “League’s Youngest Team”.  

Obviously a lot of scenarios, but something to keep an eye on.  Stay tuned to <minnesotatimberwolves.tumblr.com> for all your TWolves Offseason news.  Until then, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!