Notable veteran reportedly unlikely to return to NBA after buyout

A notable NBA veteran appears to be on the verge of calling it a career.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio announced over the summer that he was taking a mental health-related leave of absence. He has not returned to the team since. On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Rubio and the Cavs have agreed to a contract buyout.

Wojnarowski notes that the buyout agreement likely signals the end of Rubio’s NBA career. If the 33-year-old decides to continue to play professionally, it will likely be in his native Spain.

Rubio is owed $6.1M this season with a partial guarantee of $4.25M for next season.

Rubio began his professional career in Spain when he was 14. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 5 overall pick in 2009 and made his debut with the franchise two years later. Rubio has averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game over his 12-year NBA career.

After suffering the second torn ACL of his career two years ago, Rubio has played sparingly over the last two seasons. He joined the Cavs midseason last year and averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 assists in 33 games.