Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 realistic expectations for Ricky Rubio in 2021-22

#1: Rubio is a consistent reserve primary playmaker for the Cavs

Although he has bounced around in recent seasons, Rubio’s passing vision/feel as a playmaker has still been there at a high level.

Last season, although D’Angelo Russell injuries did play some into it, Rubio did still have 6.4 assists per contest, and in spurts/stretches without Darius Garland on the floor, he should still be a productive lead guard for Cleveland, and will bring consistency. In the last three seasons, he’s had 7.1 assists per contest, and lifetime, Rubio has had 9.1 assists per-36 minutes.

Rubio, even with him not being a floor spacer, has always had great timing with his dishes to cutters, has the recognition to see rollers over-the-top, and is on-point with his ball reversals. That should pay off for Collin Sexton, Kevin Love (if he sticks around) and other shooters.

So clearly, the first realistic expectation for the vet for the Cavaliers is that he should provide reliable playmaking off the bench game-to-game, and even with Rubio set to be expiring, that could potentially lead to him sticking around. That’s if the two sides were to agree on a reasonable deal down the road, at least. He is set to make $17.8 million next season though, regardless of whether the Phoenix Suns previously overpaid for him.

But the passing and pick-and-roll operation from Rubio, in a general sense, should take some burden off of Darius Garland, and that should provide a meaningful lift for Cleveland next season, and maybe beyond that.