Factory Of Sadness
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5 Cleveland Cavaliers who shouldn’t be back if they stumble in the playoffs

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Isaac Okoro #35 interviews Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 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 - SEPTEMBER 26: Isaac Okoro #35 interviews Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 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) /
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 18: Ricky Rubio #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket during the first half of the game against Tyus Jones #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 18, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 18: Ricky Rubio #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket during the first half of the game against Tyus Jones #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 18, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Ricky Rubio

The Cleveland Cavaliers need Ricky Rubio to find his form sooner rather than later. While Rubio is cleared and ready to go, he’s obviously not back to his old form and probably won’t be for several more weeks or months. While Rubio’s signing this-past offseason was a huge get for the Cavs, the hope was that Rubio would eventually return to his 2021-2022 form, which he’s yet to do.

He’s playing 10 fewer minutes from last year to this year, and his points per game are nearly halved from last year. Not to mention his three-point shooting fell by 80 points, and his True Shooting fell by 40 points.

A lot of this has to do with him not having complete strength and mobility back in his knee. The ligament is good enough to start pounding on it again, but it can take 12-18 months before you’re back to your old self and he’s right in the middle of that timeline. He was re-signed with the idea that he’d be able to contribute offensively as he previously did.

If he can show that flash in the playoffs, he’ll be around for his contract. If he doesn’t, then the Cavs would be wise to look for a trade to either dump Rubio or add a shooter around him. For what it’s worth, his defense is still as good as ever.

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