3 free agent point guards who could return to the Cavs

3 free agent point guards who could return to the Cavs: Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio was an excellent addition last summer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the sort of player who fit this team’s needs in a myriad of ways. After struggling the season prior on a cellar-dwelling Minnesota Timberwolves team, he came to the Cavs and bought in from day one, boosting this team on and off the court.

On the court he raised the floor of the offense immediately by ensuring 48 minutes of high-level playmaking and ball-handling. More than that he also found confidence in his shot and averaged a career-best 13.1 points per game, including 1.7 3-pointers per contest. He didn’t just direct traffic, he also made shots.

His pairing with Garland was also sublime. When the two guards shared the court together they had a +16.1 net rating, the best high-minute pairing on the team. Rubio could play as the de facto “point guard” while Garland ran off screens and caught the ball either to shoot or attack advantage situations. Rubio’s size and toughness on defense allowed them to survive on the other end.

The problem with bringing back Rubio is that he is currently rehabbing his torn ACL, and won’t be ready for the start of the season. Signing him would require also finding a third point guard to back up Garland until Rubio is ready; if Garland missed any time early in the season the team would be in a real bind. Given that the Cavs have their eyes set on a good playoff seed next season that could be too much risk for them to take on.