After less than 70 total games played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, one veteran player’s stint in Cleveland (and perhaps in pro basketball altogether) appears to be over.
Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Cavaliers have begun to discuss a potential parting of ways with guard Ricky Rubio. The news reportedly comes amid “serious doubts” that Rubio will ever play again — at the very least, he is not expected back this NBA season.
Rubio, 33, announced over the summer that he was taking a mental health-related leave of absence. He had been playing professionally since he was just 14 years old in Spain and already has 12 NBA seasons under his belt (logging 10.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game overall).
The middling 15-12 Cavaliers need extra help right now with guard Darius Garland missing extended time due to an unlucky injury and forward Evan Mobley also not due back for months because of a knee issue. Rubio is owed $6.1 million this season with a partial guarantee of $4.25 million for next season. That makes him a possible buyout candidate for Cleveland (after joining the team in 2021) and may signal that the formal end of Rubio’s basketball career is near.
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