Source: Buyout of Rubio's contract may be reduced:
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1965394.html

The prospect of drafting Ricky Rubio is about to become less risky.

A source close to Rubio said the $6.6 million buyout of the Spanish point guard's contract with his current team, DKV Joventut, was likely to be reduced Sunday or today to an amount where "he knows he'll be able to make the payments."

Such a resolution will, in effect, clear a major obstacle for teams considering Rubio as their first pick in Thursday's NBA draft but that have concerns about the financial albatross to which he has been tied. That, of course, includes the Kings.

Assuming the arrangement is finalized as expected, Rubio would plan on joining his team at the NBA Summer League in July. Yet while Rubio's visit to Sacramento last week was his first with an NBA team in America, the Kings are no longer alone in that regard.

Rubio - who measured at 6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-7 3/4 wingspan in his Kings physical - visited with Oklahoma City representatives Saturday in Los Angeles. The Thunder, which picks third, was allowed to examine his DKV Joventut contract, just as the Kings had, to gain a better understanding of those particulars. The visit would appear to increase the chances of the Thunder opting for Rubio, if only because the uncertainty that loomed before the visit almost certainly meant it would go another direction.

While Memphis, which holds the second pick, visited with Rubio in Spain before the Kings or Thunder, the Grizzlies did not see the contract, nor did any other team. Rubio could make more visits, however, as his camp surely will explore all options in the coming days. Among the possibilities, Minnesota is believed to be interested in moving up from its No. 6 spot to select Rubio.

Rubio's eventual NBA team is permitted to pay only $500,000 of a buyout, meaning the player will pay the rest. Because he made approximately $97,000 last season with DKV Joventut, his representatives had asked an arbitrator to settle the matter while claiming the buyout is disproportionate to his salary. They also claimed Rubio never signed his contract when it was drafted - he was 16 at the time - although he reportedly did sign an addendum last season.

Yet the Kings continue to look at all options for their first pick. Their sights also are set on several other prospects who were in Sacramento for a workout Sunday: Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, Memphis' Tyreke Evans and Davidson's Stephen Curry.

Coming off a franchise-low 17-win season, the Kings, according to league sources, also are willing to discuss deals for anybody on their roster. That includes shooting guard Kevin Martin, who previously was seen as untouchable but who continues to attract significant attention from around the league.

Can U see it?

If this was to be one of the last battles royal among point guards, Patrick "Patty" Mills would not be left out.

So Mills called the Kings and asked to be included in Sunday's workout at the team's practice facility.

The Kings have worked out every top point guard available in Thursday's draft. Only Ricky Rubio, who became ill during his visit, did not work out.

Sunday's group included Memphis' Tyreke Evans and Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, both back for a second look. Evans previously worked out alone.

Florida State's Toney Douglas, Florida's Nick Calathes and Davidson star Stephen Curry also were in Sacramento with Mills, the Saint Mary's standout.

Curry and Evans are considered locks to be lottery picks, a group Flynn also could sneak into by Thursday.

Calathes and Douglas also are projected as possible first-round selections.

Mills said he'd been told he would be selected late in the first round or early in the second. The Kings have three picks in the draft: the fourth overall, the 23rd and the 31st.

"I knew who was going to be here, so it was a great opportunity," Mills said. "And if I had that opportunity (I'd) make the most of it and try to put myself in the best possible position."

Mills, no slouch in his own right, wanted a chance to play in the group. He spent two seasons at Saint Mary's in Moraga and was one of the young stars of the 2008 Summer Olympics playing for Australia.

Afterward, Mills felt the workout, his ninth, was productive.

"The type of caliber guys who were here competing today along with Toney, it was great," Mills said. "I think the level of competitiveness and toughness is a level that I'm up there with as well."

The workout highlighted the diversity of available point guards.

Curry (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) might be the best shooter in the draft. He moved to point guard last season after two years as Davidson's shooting guard.

Shooting remains Curry's trademark, but a year as a playmaker has helped shape what he believes he'll be as a pro.

"I definitely see myself as a point guard first," Curry said.

Flynn (6-0, 185) is a speedy player believed to be high on the Kings' list. Mills (6-0, 175) also wants to push tempo.

Calathes (6-5, 185) excels from the outside. He also has a deal to play in Greece next year.

Evans also is 6-5, but at 220 pounds, is 35 pounds heavier than Calathes' listed weight. Like Douglas, he also can play shooting guard. Douglas (6-2, 200) comes with the reputation of being a tough defender.

"Most of all, I feel I can bring toughness (to the Kings)," Douglas said. "Because you can't coach toughness. … I feel like nobody is going to out-tough me. And that's one thing I can control."