More than a month after being reimbursed for injury seasons, the 31-year-old veteran Rubio changed hands again. As in the past, he still did not voluntarily leave, but was sent away by the team. With being traded to the Pacers by the Cavaliers, Rubio has played for one more team in his career.
In the Cavaliers-Pacers trade, the Cavaliers sent Rubio with three draft picks to the Pacers, thus getting a good Le Vere. The reason why the Pacers are willing to accept the season reimbursement of Rubio is that his contract will expire at the end of the season, that is, Rubio's expiring contract will free up salary space for them. For the Pacers, who decided to rebuild, it was what they craved.
As for where to go after Rubio's contract expires? Or can you still sign a contract? That's not something the Pacers or any team is going to consider. In this brutal business league, Rubio, who has been in a contract year this season, has once again felt what indifference and ruthlessness are after a serious injury.
Originally, Rubio, who was in a contract year, was expected to sign a new contract, and even if he could not renew his contract with the Cavaliers, he could sign a contract with other teams. The reason is that his performance before the season reimbursement was good. This season, he played 34 games for the Cavaliers, averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 assists per game, a career-high score and a higher assist than last season. In this under-expected rebuilding team, Rubio has contributed with his experience and tandem ability.
Sadly, Rubio suffered a serious injury from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was reimbursed for the season. And such a serious injury will not only cost Rubio this season, but even uncertain when he will come back? And not sure if you can get back to your old form after your comeback. Coupled with the $17.8 million contract that will expire this summer, Rubio looks like it will be difficult to sign a new contract after the contract expires, after all, his strength is not top-notch, after such a serious injury, no team will be willing to risk a good contract for him, after all, not everyone is a strong star like Durant and Klay Thompson, which can make the Nets and Warriors pay them high salaries to recuperate.
Before the start of the season, european media said that if Rubio did not leave the Cavaliers this season, then he may leave the NBA and return to the Europa League after the season. At that time, no one knew that the Cavaliers could have such a performance, and almost everyone was sure that the Cavaliers would still be in a bad position, so Rubio definitely did not want to waste time on such a team.
Now that the rebuilt Pacers have completed their first trade, it is likely to continue to push for the Sabonis and Turner deals, which are currently ranked 13th in the East and have officially been put on the line. Now, leaving aside whether Rubio is willing to play for the Pacers, the rebuilt Pacers apparently don't want to leave Rubio badly injured and not young.
Looking around, Rubio, whose contract expired this summer, if he can get a warm invitation and a good contract from a European team, the former golden boy who is the same as Harden and Curry may really leave the NBA to return to Europe, thus leaving this field of frustration for many years.