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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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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 22: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court against Kevin Pangos #6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 22: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court against Kevin Pangos #6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Kevin Pangos

The Cavs already have an accomplished point guard in Kevin Pangos. The 28-year-old rookie from Canada hasn’t gotten a chance to really show what he can do, playing just 82 minutes so far across 15 games. Mostly in garbage time to boot.

So what do the Cavs have in Pangos? Well, you have a star of the international game that averages 10 points, five assists, and a three-point shot that falls nearly 42%. He did most of that in the Euroleague, which is far harder to score in due to their keen fondness of defense. If Pangos is given a chance, he may actually be able to replace Rubio’s scoring and passing figures.

Defensively though, that’s anyone’s guess. Rubio was an elite defender and replacing that won’t be easy. If he’s playing next to Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Isaac Okoro, however, it’s hard to see him being that bad. He’s got a RAPTOR grade of -1.5, which isn’t awful considering he’s mostly playing with Lamar Stevens and Tacko Fall.

What would he look like with the Cavs’ best players?

It’s an in-house idea and one that may make the most sense, after all the Cavs lost Rubio and Collin Sexton this year; who were also the two pieces most thought would be traded if an offer came in. Can Dylan Windler and some second-rounders really get a deal done?

Give Pangos a shot and find out.

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