CAVS REEL IN RICKY RUBIO
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves for forward Taurean Prince, a second-round draft pick in 2022 and cash.
What does it give the Cleveland Cavaliers
For Cleveland, Rubio provides solid leadership skills (to go along with his excellent ball handling and playmaking abilities). Rubio is a good mentor for young guards Darius Garland and Collin Sexton in Cleveland (though the latter may be traded at some point this year).
What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
For the Timberwolves, the key to this deal is adding another second-rounder for the future. Prince may be a serviceable forward in the short term, too. Also, Minnesota will lean more heavily now on D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Malik Beasley as the main playmakers.
Fantasy impact
Rubio is likely to come off the bench for Cleveland (unless Sexton is traded, as off-season rumors suggest), so his fantasy stock may drop with the Cavaliers. Proceed with caution with him. As for Prince, he holds little fantasy value at this time.
