The Cleveland Cavaliers had something terrible happen Tuesday night.
That was veteran point guard Ricky Rubio going down with an injury.
It did not take long for him to be ruled out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL.
Rubio was having a resurgent season and filled in perfectly once Collin Sexton went out with his own season-ending injury.
Darius Garland is now the lone point guard standing as the upstart Cavaliers are hoping to avoid a decline after such a great start.
The front office was apparently at work as a trade is reportedly close to being completed.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are nearing a trade to acquire Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo — and an agreement is expected to be reached as soon as Friday, sources tell ESPN. Rondo would be able to join Cleveland as soon as he clears Covid protocols.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021
A Thursday night Woj bomb revealed the Cavaliers are close to landing Rajon Rondo in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rondo may not be playing at Rubio’s level this year, but the experience is there and it is an interesting match for this Cavaliers team.
Cleveland Hoping For Vintage Rondo
Rondo is just not working out in Los Angeles.
He is averaging just over 16 minutes per game and is scoring around three points per outing.
That is not what he was brought in to do.
But the Lakers have bigger problems and have a team that is centered around LeBron James.
Not a 35-year-old Rondo.
Lakers getting off Rajon Rondo without taking back salary would knock them down one luxury tax bracket and save $7M. Would also create a $1.7M TPE.
Cleveland can acquire Rondo without trading anyone but would have to waive someone first since they’re at 15 players. https://t.co/jlyW0KMEcf
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) December 30, 2021
Coming to Cleveland could be a fantastic thing for Rondo because he could get the minutes Rubio had.
Rubio averaged 28.5 minutes per game and as long as Rondo stays healthy, he can step in and assume that veteran role.
He is averaging 3.7 assists per game in his limited action and won’t be relied on to be a huge scorer.
Leadership will be key from Rondo as will helping Garland continue his development into an All-Star-level guard.
The Cavaliers are competitive for the first time since James left again and this reported deal proves they are serious about making a playoff run in 2022.
