What’s Next For Cavs After Rotten Ricky Rubio News?

It’s been a season of fun for the Cavaliers, but also a season of some tough luck and hard knocks.

Without Ricky Rubio, it’s hard to know how far the Cavs can actually go.

As you have heard by now, Rubio suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Tuesday’s loss to the Pelicans. He is out for the season.

No one really thought Rubio would mean so much to the Cavs and their surprising resurgence of a year. Back when the Cavs made the deal with the Timberwolves, everyone just assumed Rubio would relive Darius Garland at point guard — and that’s about it.

Nobody expected Rubio to make such a difference. Certainly not the Timberwolves, probably not the Cavs, and maybe not even Rubio himself. At the age of 31, he became one of the NBA’s most valuable reserves, a steadying (and sometimes explosive) veteran on a team with young, fun guns.

In 34 games, Rubio matched his career-high by averaging 13.1 points, with 6.6 assists and 39 percent shooting on 3-pointers. But it was about more than just numbers. When things were getting a little wild, Rubio almost always got the offense in order. He often made the right play that led to a better play, resulting in a basket and an assist for someone else.

It’s all over now, though, and Rubio’s future in Cleveland is in serious doubt.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Rubio will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. It’s true that there were reports of contract extension talks between Rubio and the Cavs. Those reports were likely accurate.

That said, talks of an extension often take a turn when a player is lost for the year. The money rarely looks the same. The Cavs won’t bring back Rubio just because. Nor will Rubio want to take less money just because.

Yes, a deal could still get done. But the Cavs will have a lot to consider — mostly, that Rubio will be 32 in October and coming off major knee surgery. And they will indeed take that into consideration.

Along with that, the coming months will also play a role in determining Rubio’s value. If the Cavs manage to keep a good thing going … well, that gives them even more to think about regarding Rubio.

You could say the same about Collin Sexton, out for the year with an MCL tear. Unlike Rubio, though, Sexton is a restricted free agent. The Cavs could merely let the market determine Sexton’s next contract, and match any offer he receives from another team. If Rubio signs elsewhere, he’s gone, lost for nothing.

Again, that’s not to say Rubio is out of here. It’s just to say that it’s now going to be something to watch, and even more than it was before.

REPLACEMENT IN LINE?

What matters more to the Cavs is trying to find someone who fits and can help keep things chugging in the right direction. Sources said they won’t be in any hurry to make a trade. 

That perhaps may mean trying to land a Disabled Player Exception from the league, or signing someone to a hardship deal. The fact Garland, Jarrett Allen and others have been in the health and safety protocol makes picking up a random free agent a bit easier. That’s about the only benefit of having those guys sidelined.

So Cavs general manager Koby Altman has options. He can bring in a rotating group of 10-day guys from the G League or overseas, auditioning a number of inexperienced, hungry players.

He can also keep his eyes peeled on free agents who may be willing to come cheap. Available names such as Mike James (31 years old), Kris Dunn (27), Ryan Arcidiacono (27), Yogi Ferrell (28) and Frank Mason (27) all have experience running an NBA team.

It’s hard to know if the Cavs are interested in any of those players, or if they will even go that route in free agency. While they may not be feeling desperate to make a deal, trading for someone else’s backup may ultimately be the best way to go. Either way, Kevin Pangos or 10-day signee Malik Newman aren’t likely the answer.

Really, all the Cavs do know is they will be without Rubio, whose presence proved to be invaluable both during games and on the practice court. 

Finding someone who can run J.B. Bickerstaff‘s offense and fit next to Garland, Allen, Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, Isaac Okoro and Kevin Love the way Rubio did will be a tall task.

But the Cavs have no choice. Dumb luck has intervened again, and about the only thing the Cavs (20-14) intend to do is try to make the best of a difficult situation. Anything beyond that, when it comes to the future of Rubio, is really just a guess.