NBA/ESP - Rubio reportedly reaches deal to join Timberwolves next season

MINNESOTA (NBA) - The wait is almost over for Minnesota Timberwolves fans eager to see Spain sensation Ricky Rubio suit up for their team.

According to The Associated Press, Rubio has reached a deal to join the team that selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 Draft and he will make his long-awaited NBA debut next season.

The 20-year-old is currently playing in the ACB play-offs with Barcelona, who beat defending champions Caja Laboral 71-61 on Wednesday night to complete a 3-0 sweep of their semi-final series.

In 2009, the Timberwolves drafted Rubio despite a buyout of his Spanish contract estimated at more than $6 million.

The sheer size of the buyout caused Rubio to stay overseas rather than immediately come to the NBA. This led to speculation he did not want to play in Minnesota because of the cold and the small-market aspect of the place.

The Spain international had until Tuesday to sign a deal that would see him paid under the current rookie wage scale.

As the fifth pick in the draft, he stands to make nearly $3.5 million in his rookie season.

Had he failed to sign before Tuesday's deadline, Rubio might have been in line to earn less as the current labour talks between the NBA and the players' union may result in a lesser rookie wage scale as part of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Under current NBA rules, the Timberwolves can only contribute $500,000 to Rubio's buyout from Regal Barcelona.

However, by staying in Spain for an additional two years, Rubio has seen his buyout drop to a more manageable $1.4 million.

FIBA