The Cleveland Cavaliers looking to trade Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio played his last official basketball game on 23 April. He turned out for the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the playoffs for the title against the New York Knicks. It was his 36th game of a season that began at the start of January following his recovery from an ACL tear to his left knee - an injury that he suffered at the end of 2021. An absence of more than a year that did not prevent the Spanish point guard from renewing terms with the Ohio franchise in the summer of 2022 for three seasons and $18.4 million.

The reason was clear: Ricky was key to a young team brimming with potential and talent - young players who needed the help of a seasoned veteran in the NBA and international basketball. His level on the court had also returned to normal after a rare second stint with the Timberwolves. Before the injury, he averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 assists in 28.5 minutes on court.

Return to the courts

Upon his return and, as usual after a long-term injury, Ricky was gradually finding himself again. Little by little, it was all falling back into place - rhythm, speed. Everyone expected to see him at a good level at the 2023 World Cup... but everything took a 180 degree turn at the beginning of August when he announced, through a statement, that he was leaving the national team’s base camp. He felt it was time to put his sports career on hold and take care of his mental health.

It was blow for both Spain and for the Cavaliers, who gave their full support to the player when he decided not to show up at the training camp before the start of the season. “We continue to fully support Ricky and his efforts. For now, it is best that he remains outside the team and we have excused his absence. We continue to communicate and consult periodically with him and we will continue to help him in any way possible,” the franchise assured.

Salary restrictions

However, time is pressing and the Cavs want to forge ahead with their plans to improve a squad that is sixth in the Eastern Conference. And there appears the contract of just over $12 million that Ricky has left to collect. According to Yahoo Sports, the Cavs are looking for a franchise that can absorb the Spaniard’s contract and then carry out a buyout to effectively release him from his contract The Ohio franchise, according to Spotrac, has a salary bill of $170 million - $34 million above the salary limit.

If Ricky is cut from the roster in a waiver, any NBA team could claim his contract within the next 48 hours. If no one contacts him, the Spanish international would be free to negotiate a new agreement in the North American League and even continue his career in Europe if he wishes.