Cavs’ Ricky Rubio Denies He Has Deal In Place With Barcelona

Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio has said he intends to finish his career in Spain, specifically with Spanish club Barcelona.

But he made it clear he has no intention to go there just yet.

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Rubio met with Barcelona GM Juan Carlos Navarro and agreed to join the club next summer.

Rubio responded on Twitter with sarcasm.

“… sources close to Ricky Rubio tell me that Mundo Deportivo is lying. But still, my source is not as reliable as yours,” he wrote, as translated by Eurohoops.

Rubio admitted a month ago that his NBA career is just about wrapping up.

“The idea when I left Europe to play in the NBA was to come back at some point,” Rubio said, via EuroHoops. “I don’t know where I will be mentally and physically and if I will continue to play, but yes, my NBA days are coming to an end.”

Rubio, 32, played a limited role last season after returning from ACL surgery in January. He appeared in 33 games, averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 assists. He appeared in just three of the Cavs’ five playoff games, averaging a mere 5.7 minutes.

The second year of Rubio’s current contract is not fully guaranteed.

“I have two years left on my contract. Maybe one,” he said on the La Sotana podcast, via Johnny Askounis of EuroHoops. “We will see.”

Along with the Cavs, Rubio has spent time with Timberwolves, Jazz, and Suns during a 12-year career. Before that, he spent six years in Europe.

… fuentes cercanas a Ricky Rubio me dicen que Mundo Deportivo miente. Pero igual mi fuente no es tan fiable como la vuestra ? https://t.co/X4I9TDG5Qc

— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) July 11, 2023