Sources close to the situation say that despite the public posturing on both sides, Rubio really wanted to play in the NBA -- just not for the Wolves. His agent, Dan Fegan, had been working behind the scenes since the draft to broker a trade, but Kahn believed he could talk Rubio into playing in Minnesota.
At the center of the storm was Kahn's decision to draft Flynn one spot behind Rubio in the draft. Rubio's circle took the move as a lack of confidence in his abilities and was determined from draft night to either force a trade or stay in Spain. The drawn-out discussions were more of a negotiation tactic until he could either work out a trade with an NBA team or a deal with another team in Spain. When forced to choose between the Wolves and Spain after Kahn worked out a buyout, Rubio chose Spain.
With Rubio out of the picture and Flynn left as the only point guard on the team, the Wolves had to do something. Sessions was the best free-agent point guard on the board. The Wolves knew that at this point in the free-agent process, he would come cheap.
The team signed Sessions to a four-year deal, with a player option after the third year. That's a pretty clear sign that they believe it will be closer to three years before Rubio comes to the league, if he comes to the Wolves at all.