NBA Rumors: Cavs "Highly Likely" To Bring Back Familiar Face

The Cleveland Cavaliers were the surprise team of the first half of the season in the NBA, becoming a true force in the Eastern Conference, and at one point occupying a top 4 seed. But injuries started to take their toll, and derailed the team's once-promising year. And it all began with the season-ending ACL tear suffered by Ricky Rubio in December. 

The veteran guard was having a wonderful season off the bench for Cleveland, and was a big part of their early-season success. After dealing him strictly for salary-matching purposes at the trade deadline, the Cavs are now said to be "highly likely" to want to bring Rubio back this offseason.

According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, "Rubio’s relationship with the organization increases the chances of returning, with one source maintaining that it’s ‘highly likely.'”

Ricky Rubio played 34 games with the Cavaliers. The team went 20-14 during that stretch. The crazy part is how much of his influence was felt even after the injury and subsequent trade. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/KZh7iQMJsZ

— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) April 24, 2022

The 31-year-old averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 assists in his 34 games with Cleveland, and in his 11th NBA season, looked totally reinvigorated as a key cog off the Cavs' bench, playing over 28 minutes per game. 

Now a free agent, there likely isn't a team in the league that values Rubio more than the Cavaliers. 

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports