Cavs Continue To Float Ricky Rubio Contract As Trade Chip

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman continues to explore deals ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline, and it appears Ricky Rubio‘s expiring contract and Cleveland’s first-round pick are serving as starting points.

This is something we previously reported on Hoops Wire, and something Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer alluded to in his latest trade buzz column.

The Cavs have been linked to the likes of Pacers guard Caris LeVert, Rockets guard Eric Gordon, Magic guard/forward Terrence Ross and Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington, among others.

For the time being, though, it appears the asking prices for LeVert and Gordon are too steep, per Fischer.

“The Cavaliers seem to prefer sending two second-round picks to acquire either player, but the Rockets believe they can get a first-rounder for Gordon, and the Pacers are seeking more than a first-round pick for LeVert,” Fischer wrote.

Rubio suffered a season-ending ACL tear in late December and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. While the Cavs appreciate what he brought to the team, it’s difficult to foresee a future for him in Cleveland given the fact he’ll be coming off major knee surgery.

And in the NBA, an expiring contract and pick are often viewed as valuable as an actual player when it comes to making a deal. If the draft were held today, the Cavs would be selecting in the Nos. 21-27 overall range.

Per Hoops Wire sources, Cavs such as Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley are considered especially off limits. Nor are the Cavs intending to move the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman or even injured guard Collin Sexton.

That would leave Rubio’s deal as the most logical chip. Throw in a first-rounder and perhaps a few second-rounders, and the Cavs may be able to bring in the type of fit they are seeking.