Rubio Working Out for Sacramento

by Chris Alvino on June 22nd, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Update… From ESPN: “•Our buddy Bucher just popped in to say that the Kings supposedly are not interested in Rubio.” Take that for what it is worth. I hope they aren’t.

According to Chad Ford, Ricky Rubio returned to Sacramento to work out for the Kings. During his last visit with the Kings, Rubio did not work out because of an illness. Rubio just interviewed with OKC GM Sam Presti, who while impressed, did not offer Rubio a guarantee.

I think Memphis is about 90% out of the picture at this point. Chris Wallace will not draft him with the intention of keeping him. If I was Presti, I would not take him either unless I planned to trade him. He should look for ways to make his team better around his three young stars, not create logjams between two young studs. James Harden, Ty Evans, or Hasheem Thabeet should be the pick at #3. If Rubio impresses the Kings, I am sorry to say that I see them not only taking him, but keeping him as well.

Tommy and Andrew Smith have been pointing to the Kings as a trade target for a while now. If the Kings draft Rubio, I wonder if they could be enticed with a package of Wilson Chandler and possibly Johnny Flynn (who is apparently in Sac’s top 3) for Rubio and either Hawes or Thompson. A deal can also be postponed until Nate Robinson can be traded. Wilson and Flynn for Thompson and Rubio is not inconceivable, but it is not likely a deal that would get done.

Hopefully Holiday showed Walsh something today. Hopefully everything works out on Thursday. I am beginning to get a bit nervous about the draft, but I trust Donnie Walsh and the Knicks’ braintrust. They will make things happen.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • italian stallion

    I wish I had as much faith in Walsh and the Knick’s braintrust as you do. It’s not that I don’t think they are smart. It’s that I don’t think this is a very good draft and they don’t have much control.

    I think there are maybe 4-5 players that are going to become very solid NBA starters that can contribute at both ends of the court over the long haul. Unfortunately, we have the #8 pick and not many treadeable assets. I think we are going to wind up a marginal starter, one dimensional player, or very solid role players…you know… the kind we are already loaded with.

    IMO, it’s going to take a minor miracle for us to come out of this with one of the really good players. Either 3 teams ahead of us are going to have to make a major mistake or we are going to have to outsmart someone badly in a trade.

  • Jake

    I would like that deal alot i think Thompson is gonna be a beast in this league
    then mabe with that rumor i heard earlier mobleys contract for mike miller and the 28th
    pg-rubio/duhon
    sg-miller/meeks?
    sf-harringtong/gallo
    pf-lee
    c-thompson

  • italian stallion

    I am beginning to think Rubio actually is the 2nd best prospect in this draft after initially suspecting that a certain amount of hype had crept into perceptions. I think the first team that has a chance to draft him should take him even if they know he doesn’t want to play there. They should just be on the phone talking deals all this week. There is no point to taking a lesser player. The greatest value is with Rubio.