MINNEAPOLIS -- Ricky Rubio is coming to Minnesota after all. The Spanish point guard has agreed to join the Timberwolves next season, ending a drawn-out, delicate, two-year negotiation with the team that had many league observers believing he did not want to play in Minnesota. A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday night that Rubio will be here next season, given the woebegone Timberwolves a much-needed dose of good news. The person requested anonymity because neither Rubio nor the Timberwolves planned to make an official announcement while he continues to play for Regal Barcelona in the Spanish league playoffs. The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall two years ago despite a buyout of his Spanish contract that topped US$6 million. The enormity of the buyout caused Rubio to stay overseas rather than immediately come to the NBA, and there was talk that the precocious teenager did not want to play in Minnesota. The current labour uncertainty complicated the negotiations. But Rubio ultimately decided he was ready to come over now. Timberwolves spokesman Mike Cristaldi said the team was declining comment. "As of now, we have nothing new to report," Cristaldi said. The news marks the successful end to a long, and often winding, daliance between the Timberwolves and Rubio. With help from owner Glen Taylor, coach Kurt Rambis and assistant GM Tony Ronzone, Wolves President David Kahn spent almost two years working to convince Rubio to realize his dream of playing in the NBA in Minnesota. The Wolves were careful not to put too much pressure on the youngster yet still emphasizing how much the team was looking forward to bringing the slick-passer to the United States. Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. He and agent Dan Fegan came to agreement to bring Rubio over to the NBA that summer, but Rubio pulled out at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a buyout that topped $6 million out of his own pocket. That led to speculation that Rubio did not want to play in cold, small-market Minnesota and was hoping to force a trade to a bigger, more desirable market. But Rubio never expressed that himself, and the team remained confident through thick and thin that Rubio would one day join them. Under current NBA rules, the Timberwolves can only contribute $500,000 to Rubios buyout from Regal Barcelona. But by staying in Spain for another two years, Rubios buyout has now dropped to a more manageable $1.4 million. A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Timberwolves have been woking with several local companies on some endorsement opportunities that would help pay that bill. The negotiations reached a deadline of sorts on Tuesday, when Rubio needed to sign a contract in order to be put under the current rookie salary wage scale. He was faced with a difficult decision -- sign with the Wolves and lock himself into the guaranteed money of that rookie contract while risking losing games of his first NBA season to a potential lockout, or wait to see what unfolds with the leagues uncertain labour situation. Waiting, however, could have cost him money in the long run if the owners are successful in their bid to gain major wage concessions from the players, or if Rubios on-court production continued to slip like it did this season, thereby hurting his negotiating leverage. Rubio averaged a modest 6.5 points per game on 39 per cent shooting while dealing with a foot injury. With Rubio coming off the bench, Regal Barcelona has reached the Spanish League finals, meaning it will likely be mid to late June before he can be introduced by the Timberwolves, who think he will flourish in the more wide-open NBA, where guards are allowed much more freedom on the perimeter. "Hes gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defence, and because hes a pass-first guard -- hes going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski also coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in Beijing. Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe and, even though his stock has dipped some this year, the Wolves are as enamoured as ever. "Hes a special player and a very good point guard," Lakers forward and fellow Spainiard Pau Gasol said earlier this season. "Very unselfish. Hes got great size, great length. He knows how to play the game very well. Hes got a great feel for the game. Hes just a guy that will get the team going and do what he needs to do." The news was a much-needed jolt to a struggling franchise. The Timberwolves finished with the worst record in the league last season, and their history of bad lottery luck continued when the Cavaliers leap-frogged them for the first pick in the draft. The team has won just 32 games in the last two years and desperately needs a capable point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. With Rubio now in the mix, the first of many needs can be scratched off the list. It was also a bit of vindication for Kahn, who endured an avalanche of criticism for drafting Rubio at No. 5 and another point guard, Jonny Flynn, sixth overall. The doubters said Rubio would never play in Minnesota, but Kahn stayed quiet and patient and got his man in the end. 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The Indians fell a game under .500, losing a season-high six straight and 12 of their last 15 games. "Theres a lot of us not feeling good right now," said Nick Swisher, who is hitless in his last 24 at-bats. Rick Porcello (3-3) gave up two runs -- one earned -- and three hits while striking out seven over six innings. Ryan Raburn hit a two-run homer off reliever Luke Putkonen to pull the Indians within two runs in the seventh inning and they had a shot to at least get even in the ninth. After Phil Coke pitched 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief, Jose Valverde pitched a shaky ninth for his eighth save in 10 opportunities. Carlos Santana hit a one-out single in the ninth, a flare to right that second baseman Omar Infante almost caught with his back to the plate. Yan Gomes walked to put Raburn -- the potential the go-ahead run -- at the plate and Valverde struck out his former teammate and Mike Aviles to end the game. "He pitched his way out of it," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He made some quality pitches. Two strikeouts to end it, thats pretty good." Carlos Carrasco (1-1) gave up six runs and 10 hits over four-plus innings in what might be his last start for a while. "When you miss your spots, theyre going to hit you and thats what I did," Carrasco said, adding he doesnt know whether the appeal of his suspension will be dropped. The Indians led 1-0 after Porcellos first four pitches. Leadoff hitter Michael Bourn doubled and Jason Kipnins singled before Porcello retired 12 straight while his teammates gave him some run support. Detroit loaded the bases in each of the first three innings, scoring six runs and leaving five on base. Carrrasco got out of a one-out jam in the first by getting Victor Martinez to pop out and Jhonny Peralta to fly out.dddddddddddd. The right-hander wasnt as fortunate in the second when Detroit scored four runs on four hits. Andy Dirks hit a two-out RBI single and later, Cabrera drew a walk to load the bases after a nine-pitch at-bat that started with an 0-2 count. Fielder followed with a three-run double on a sharply hit drive to right-centre to give Detroit a 4-1 lead. "You saw a great hitter have a great, disciplined at-bat," Leyland said. "Then, Prince came up with a huge, huge hit." The Tigers loaded the bases without an out in the third and Carrasco got Avisail Garcia to hit into a double play that allowed one run to score. He then gave up Dirks RBI single that made it 6-1. Cleveland put Carrasco on the mound before he is forced to sit. "Maybe we can knock out this suspension," Indians manager Terry Francona said before the game. Carrasco was able to pitch while appealing an eight-game suspension, an argument that potentially could be dropped soon after his outing in Detroit. Major League Baseball suspended him in April for "intentionally throwing" at New Yorks Kevin Youkilis, and he was sent to Triple-A Columbus where he stayed until being recalled for Saturdays start. NOTES: Detroit is skipping RHP Anibal Sanchezs turn in the rotation Sunday in the series finale because theres tightness in the back of his shoulder, creating an opportunity for LHP Jose Alvarez to make his major league debut. The Tigers sent RHP Jose Ortega to Triple-A Toledo to make room on the roster. ... The Indians put RHP Zach McAllister on the 15-day disabled list, hoping to avoid his sprained right finger getting worse. ... Tigers OF Austin Jackson, who has been on the DL since May 12 with a pulled left hamstring, ran from home to second and second to home before the game and team trainer Kevin Rand said he will be evaluated Sunday to determine if hes ready to start a rehab assignment. ... Francona was ejected for the second time in a week, getting tossed in the middle of the eighth inning after getting between Swisher, and plate umpire Andy Fletcher while they were arguing. "I think (Fletcher) lost his composure," Francona said. "I didnt go out there to get thrown out the game." cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '