Ricky Rubio: "I'm always in trade deadline day rumours - even when I'm injured"

Ricky Rubio ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on 29 December - an injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Doctors estimate he will be sidelined for between seven and eight months. It was a hammer blow for the Spanish point guard, just at a moment when he was producing the best form of his career in the NBA with Cleveland Cavaliers, as he himself admitted to Cadena SER's El Larguero program this week.

Rubio, who will also miss this summer's Eurobasket 2022, chatted to Yago de Vega and Francisco José Delgado about his current situation. “I have good days and bad days. An injury is the hardest thing for a sportsman to accept. It's frustrating but it's another challenge,” he explained. “The injury made me re-evaluate my situation, it's a pause which will enable me to improve certain small aspects”.

Ricky gave an account of his daily routine: “From 08:00 until 14:00 I am in my office working with the physio. I do meditation, exercises, treatment… Later, in the evening I am with my family”.

Contract and transfer rumours

Rubio's contract with Cleveland comes to an end this summer. He will be a free agent once he has recovered from his knee injury. “Am I worried? Not at all. I have made money in the NBA. It all depends on me, on how well I recover. I am not in any rush, I'm not going to say anything until we get to June. My only objective right now is making sure my knee heals”.

Despite being injured long-term, Ricky has been the subject of numerous transfer rumours as the 17 February trade deadline nears. “Every time the trade deadline is approaching the rumours start… even being injured doesn't save me from that. It's a little bit stressful, mt family suffers. It's not very nice trying to live your life with rumours doing the rounds,” he admitted. Among the gossip, he has been linked to the Golden State Warriors: “It'd be nice to play with Curry and Klay Thompson,” he added.

Ricky, who wouldn't have been involved in the All-Star Game in spite of his great season, was instrumental for the Cavs up until his injury. He was enjoying the experience right up until the problem with his ligament: “They have something special, there's a great chemistry. [Darius] Garland has taken a step forward and [Evan] Mobley has been a great surprise,” he ended.