Cavs: 3 players Ricky Rubio could have good chemistry with from jump

3 Cavs that could have good chemistry with Rubio from the jump: Evan Mobley

I would imagine that it wouldn’t take that long for Evan Mobley to end up starting for the Cavaliers, and we’ll have to see if Kevin Love and Cleveland do possibly negotiate a buyout agreement, maybe before next season. It does seem that Love could potentially come off the bench at some point if not next season, though, per a report/comments made by Jason Lloyd of The Athletic (subscription required).

Either way, I could see Rubio and Mobley getting their share of playing time together, with Mobley likely set to get his share of experience as a backup 5 behind Jarrett Allen anyway.

Considering that, I could see him and Rubio forming a nice two-man game in bench stretches, with Mobley being a polished roller/lob threat and interior scorer. And in pick-and-roll, I’d expect Mobley to get money opportunities via dropoff/pocket passes to get right into drives after deliveries from Rubio, who has always fed rolling bigs well.

Along with that, though it wasn’t seen much in his lone collegiate season at USC, Mobley could get some good chances to get right into short roll catch-and-shoot looks from Rubio, who is so crafty with his dishes to hit those on-time in mid-clock situations.

Those could be the types of looks that could get Mobley going in spurts in-game, and as a counter to those, Rubio could fake that pass, and then Mobley could cut toward the rim for a lob if rotators begin to overhelp.

From there, in the open floor, with Mobley running the floor so well, I’d think Rubio could get him some productive lead passes here and there too, where he could take advantage as a cutter and/or from getting early seals against smaller defenders at times.

And lastly, while I wouldn’t expect it as often, with Mobley being such a gifted passing big, I could see him hitting Rubio as a cutter on occasion when defenses are trying to take away perimeter shooting targets for Mobley such as Collin Sexton or Dylan Windler.

Rubio is a creative finisher with body control in those situations, and he does time those looks up well on the weak side, so keep an eye out for that.