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3 non-trade options the Cavs should consider replacing Ricky Rubio with

By Chad Porto

Spain's Ricard Rubio reacts after their defeat in the men's quarter-final basketball match between Spain and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain's Ricard Rubio reacts after their defeat in the men's quarter-final basketball match between Spain and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 25: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls drives around Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 25, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 25: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls drives around Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 25, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn isn’t a great player but when healthy he has shown signs of explosiveness. He’s maybe the best one-for-one replacement on the free-agent market. Like with Ricky Rubio, Kris Dunn isn’t a great three-point shooter, shooting only about 23% of his career shots from three-point range. Dunn likes to score around the rim, putting up closer to 73% of his career shots from around the rim of 2′ or less. Very similar to Rubio’s but not exact. His per-36 assist stats have him at about six assists per game for his career, with Rubio at a nine.

So he’s not nearly the same passer Rubio was, and while Rubio was far from Hawkeye as a three-point shooter, he was better than Dunn.

So why does Dunn make the list? Defense. That’s the special of the day that the Cavs need more than anything. Can you defend? If yes, you may be called upon. This team lives and dies on their ability to get the stops on defense and then move the ball up the court in transition. Dunn may be able to get that job done, even if only a few weeks.

His defense may actually earn him a spot but the Cavs have another option.

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