Grading the Ricky Rubio deal with Cavs from all angles

Grading Ricky Rubio deal with Cavs: Team’s direction

Last season was a special one for the Cavs, at least to start. They came together and showed they were not afraid of anyone, clamping down on opposing teams from the jump and winning a number of games against much better teams. It took months for them to be truly blown out. That comes from talent and coaching, but it also came from an improved locker room where Kevin Love was bought in and Ricky Rubio was an experienced voice helping to bring them together.

The Cavs brought back Rubio to play a significant on-court role, but they also brought him back because of his fit with this team and his integral role in setting their culture. Jake Fischer reported that the Cavs “really wanted Rubio back in town” just for these “culture-setting” reasons:

The other question that has to be asked here is how Rubio fits with the growth cycle of this team. They are ready to compete now, but they won’t contend for a title for at least a few more years. Did the Rubio signing make sense within that context?

The Cavs made a win-now move in February when they shipped Rubio out for Caris LeVert, and that deal has neither worked thus far nor will it help them down the road when they are missing a first-round pick. The Rubio signing wasn’t that sort of short-sighted, win-now move; Rubio won’t even help them until late in the season, if at all this year. Yet by signing him they are committing to building that culture that will propel this team to greater long-term heights.

The Cavs could have gone for a younger option, but it’s nice to have a few adults in the room, and whether or not Rubio is still around when the Cavs are competing for titles he makes sense to have around right now.

Grade: A