Cavs: Heavy Ricky Rubio minutes will be the norm, as team needs it

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Collin Sexton for the rest of the season, as it was reported on Friday that Sexton underwent surgery to repair the meniscus tear in his left knee. You can view more on that/a team press release here.

The gyst is, that was gutwrenching for Sexton and the team. Just as the club looks to be turning a corner, as hopefully they’ll get reinforcements back soon, I just feel awful for Sexton that he won’t be a part of it this season.

As Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com alluded to in a report, though, it was determined that was the best move career-wise and for a long term outlook for Sexton.

Now, Sexton/his camp and the Cavaliers did not come to an agreement on a contract extension before the deadline last month, but regardless of that, this injury does not change how the Cavs themselves feel about Sexton, per Fedor’s report (subscription required). He’s a player they’re very high on, and it does seem that Sexton could still end up back next offseason, when he’s set to be a restricted free agent. We’ll have to see.

When it comes to the rest of the season, I’d probably expect either Ricky Rubio to start from here at the 2 mostly, or just end up playing still a bunch of minutes and Cleveland have Isaac Okoro starting regularly at the 2, for defensive purposes. That’s when Lauri Markkanen is back from COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Either way, with this Sexton news, heavy Rubio minutes will continue to be the norm, as the Cavs need it.

Rubio has given the Cavaliers more than they could’ve reasonably asked for, and has shot the ball far better than one would’ve ever expected. He’s had 15.0 points and 6.4 assists per contest, and has knocked in 37.1 percent from three-point range in 29.5 minutes per game.

Now, the shooting splits will likely come down to earth and has in recent games for Rubio, but with Sexton out, and with Isaac Okoro’s shooting woes here, the high usage will continue from him. And to help out Darius Garland, the other key shot creator on-ball with Sexton out, Cleveland will have to ride with that.

Granted, perhaps the Cavs will look to make a move at some point soon here to help out their shot creation efforts, and to help preserve Garland and Rubio, however, it’s apparent that in Rubio’s minutes, they’ll still need the Tokyo Olympics Rubio in-tow. That’s reportedly what they’re looking for from him, too, for what it’s worth.

In fairness, the playmaking abilities from Rubio are still the biggest impact from him on a game-to-game basis, and his chemistry with other players is coming along with more experience with his new teammates.

Rubio, whose influence seems to be rubbing off on Garland as a passer and driver, does a great job in ensuring both bigs/rollers are involved near the rim in pick-and-roll and from early seals, for one.

Rubio’s timing for hitting shooters on the perimeter is crucial for Cleveland’s offense as well, though, and going forward, when the tandem is in there, Rubio can help Garland get some more off-movement looks, which I don’t discount. We should see that more in upcoming games, I’d imagine, and the same will likely apply for Lauri Markkanen, who is reportedly expected to be back on Monday, along with Jarrett Allen (non-COVID-19 illness).

So, to drive it home here, with the Sexton news, whether he’ll regularly start as a de facto 2 or not (he’s started in five contests), Rubio will likely be in 30-plus minutes game in and game out, barring notable roster change of course. He’s averaged 33.6 minutes per outing in the past five games.

And while I acknowledge the offseason trade acquisition in Rubio is an expiring player, given what he’s given the Cavaliers, I could very well foresee him sticking through the deadline.

I’d be on-board with him, even ahead of his age-32 season next year, being signed via reasonable deal next offseason, too, if the two sides were to be able to work something out.