Why any Rubio rumor is probably bunk, at least until 2012: $$$$

So let's say we get Rubio.  Great!  Now we have to sign him.  Easier said then done.  Below is snippet from Chris Sheridan's column back in Sept 3. 2009:

If Rubio plays three seasons for FC Barcelona, by the summer of 2012 he no longer would be bound by the terms of the NBA rookie scale, which apply to first-round picks only for the first three years after which they are drafted.

Rubio then could exercise his buyout (which remains the same in 2012 as it is in 2011: 1 million euros), come to America at age 21 and not be bound by the rookie scale

Meaning, if he comes in 2012, he can sign for as much money as he can get (a minimum of 3 years and max of 5 years on the contract is required in this situation).  If he comes in 2010 or 2011?  He'd be locked into a 3 year rookie salary deal.

This does all depends on the the CBA, which expires in 2011 and they might adjust this rule in a future CBA so teams can compete with European teams poaching their players (see Childress, Josh) and regarding buyouts (see Vasquez, Fran). 

Regardless, I'm going to ignore any Rubio rumor only because he won't be coming at least for another year and unless the Knicks can get him on the cheap, I won't be thinking about Rubio much in the coming years.

**FYI, I can see the 'he can get lots of $$ through endorsements', but I have yet to see this happen for any other player in the history of the NBA, so I'll be taking a 'believe when I see it' approach to that argument.