Ricky Rubio’s return to the Cavs looking “highly likely”

Journalist Chris Fedor, a reliable source when it comes to news concerning the Cleveland Cavaliers, has detailed the team’s complicated backcourt situation. The Cavs recently finished their first season with positive figures for the first time since 2017-18. In other words, since LeBron James left. However, a series of injury setbacks sent the team tumbling into play-in purgatory, leaving them in a bad situation at a critical moment of the campaign. The Cavs didn’t advance past the new play-in tournament and missed out on what would have been their first playoffs without LeBron since 1998.

Fedor explained: “Collin Sexton, who is eligible for restricted free agency, could continue. His points would take some scoring responsibility off Darius Garland. Caris LeVert could also follow. It is believed that he could be better acclimatized after a few months, and he himself has assured that he will play better. So they can almost be considered as two signings for next season. He would be left to cover the role of substitute point guard, and there they want to have a veteran presence that serves as a stabilizing factor: Ricky Rubio, Delon Wright, Tyus Jones... But Ricky Rubio’s relationship with the franchise multiplies the options that he will return. In fact, a source I have consulted assures me that it is ‘somewhat highly likely’”.

Last season was one of highs and lows for the Spanish guard. In less than 12 months, from November 2020 to August 2021, he was traded from Phoenix to OKC, from OKC to Minnesota and then on to Cleveland. At 31, he joined a team which was still in construction and amid rumours that he was fed up with how the NBA functioned and was considering returning to Spain to join Barcelona in the summer of 2022 on termination of a contract that saw him earn 17.8 million dollars last year. He had signed a three-year deal worth 51 million dollars with the Suns in the summer of 2019.

But in Ohio, things couldn’t have turned out much better. The team were one of the sensations of the season - largely due to their core nucleus of young players: Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen (both featured in this year’s All-Star game) and brilliant rookie Evan Mobley. Ricky’s presence was fundamental - a veteran guard with experience to help Garland find his feet and fill in whenever the team was in need, almost like an extension of coach, JB Bickerstaff. He played at a high level in all of his 34 games, eight of which in the starting line-up, and averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists. In the first third of the season, his future in the NBA looked brighter than ever - he was happy and even spoke about an offer to continue in Cleveland as well as interest from other aspiring teams in the winter trade window.

Knee injury

But in December, Ricky ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee - his second ACL injury. As soon as it was confirmed that he wouldn’t p[lay again this season, and with a contract due to expire this summer, Ricky was traded to the Pacers in an operation which facilitated Caris LeVert’s move to the Cavs. In Indiana, they knew that Ricky wasn’t going to play, but they took advantage of the operation to ‘hire’ his contract for a few months and free up their salary cap.

Ricky won’t be able to start the season out on court. But he is sure to have offers - probably not for the length of time and salary that he could have commanded had he not suffered a knee injury. Rumours have been doing the rounds since he was traded, and according to Fedor, there could be interest and maybe even a verbal agreement for him to sign a new contract with the Cavs. That seems feasible even if long-term casualty Collin Sexton and LeVert continue. The connection with the franchise, the coach and the new superstar Darius Garland is clear to see. So nodoby should be too surprised if a return to the Cavs is Ricky’s Plan A.