Now that the 2018-19 NBA season is over, Utah Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio is getting ready to play for his native Spain in the FIBA World Cup. Unfortunately, it appears he is not able to fully commit to the national team at the moment due to his free agent status.
Rubio is also set to test the market this offseason as a free agent. In order to play for Spain, he will first need to get confirmation from whatever team he signs with next, via Radio Marca
“I'm happy to go with Spain,” Rubio said. “But I would need the okay of my (NBA) team.”
Rubio added that he fully expects his new team to let him play for Spain.
“It's also a condition that I'll have to speak when the team decides because, if it's true that the final decision (to play for the national team) is ours as players, you don't want to start badly with your new team,” he said.
“I finished this past season very well physically and am available for selection (by Spain). Once I sign the contract (with his new NBA team), there will surely be no problem but there will always be the possibility that the team will tell you you have just signed this and you stay here this summer. In principle this should not happen but I can not give 100 percent to the selection until I sign the contract.”
Despite Rubio's optimism, this still leaves him in a rather precarious situation moving forward. There is no doubt that the veteran is expected to draw his fair share of suitors this offseason. His current terms raised an obvious concern about his health at this point in his career. As a result, there may have to be a few stipulations in his new contract that will ensure some sense of security for both sides involved.
The Spaniards have long boasted a roster full of solid NBA talent with Rubio as one a staple in the team's lineup even before he ventured across the sea into the NBA. He had taken part in the 2010 and 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cups and will be looking to help his team gain favorable positioning in the 2020 Olympics through this year's event. It will be interesting to see not only which team Rubio ultimately signs with, but at what point he will be able to join Spain in China.
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