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Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Potential Trades, Free Agent Targets Who Can Help Later This Season

By Nick Dudukovich

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the first quarter at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the first quarter at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) talks to forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the game against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) talks to forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the game against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Which brings me to Ricky Rubio. The native of Spain is not the future in Minnesota, with Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine manning the backcourt.

Rubio’s never played for a good team, as Minnesota has basically been an NBA wasteland since 2004.

He’s scoring just over 10 points per game, which is fine. The Cavs don’t need him to score, but it’s something he can do.

What he does offer that the other names on this list don’t is the ability to dish the ball. He doled out 8.7 assists per game last season on a horrible T’Wolves squad.

Imagine the boost that statistic would take dishing the ball to LeBron James.

Additionally, Rubio is an underrated defender.

“It’s not a coincidence that Rubio is able to generate so many steals. In addition to his size, he is one of the most aware and intelligent defensive guards in the league. In a lot of ways, Rubio is the complete opposite of James Harden on defense. He is almost always properly positioned between his opponent and the basket, is constantly surveying the ball-handler and the opposing offense as a whole, while waiting to jump passing lanes for a steal. He is constantly aware of where his opponent is,” according to Basketball Insiders.

It’s fun to think about this Cavs team operating with a true point guard off the bench than can create for all the talent around him.

But there is a problem. Rubio is making $14 million this season. If Cleveland is to make a deal, they’d probably have to unload Iman Shumpert and some other parts to make the money work.

Shumpert had a disappointing 2015-2016 campaign, but you’ve got to think the Cavs will give a chance to bounce back into form.

Next: How To Buy A Cavs Championship Ring

If he can’t, you can expect to hear his name pop up around the trade deadline for the second season in a row.

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