One NBA writer is proposing that the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers make a trade centered around Royce O’Neale and Ricky Rubio. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed that the Nets trade O’Neale to the Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick and the Denver Nuggets’ 2027 second-round pick.
“O’Neale has carved out an entire career hitting enough of the three-and-D notes to enamor the hell out of Cleveland,” Favale wrote. “He isn’t especially big, at 6’6”, but he can still rumble with some power wings. Jettisoning Rubio does hollow out the Cavs’ backup-playmaking armory. They’ll get over it. They can more dramatically stagger Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, and Caris LeVert adds enough ball-handling and tertiary creation to run some bench-heavy units—provided he’s afforded adequate runway in the half-court.
“Brooklyn could demand more for O’Neale since Rubio has another year left on his deal. But the latter brings some needed passing, guile and defensive chutzpah at the 1. If nothing else, this package is a good starting point.”
O’Neale and Cavaliers star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell are close friends. They were teammates on the Utah Jazz, so it’s safe to assume that Mitchell wouldn’t mind reuniting with O’Neale in Cleveland.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Royce O’Neale Ricky Rubio, Brooklyn Nets & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in five games, while the Nets got swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. Both teams need some fresh blood, which is why this trade idea from Favale isn’t such a bad idea.
NBA TRADE, NEWS & RUMORS: Royce O’Neale Ricky Rubio, Brooklyn Nets & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
O’Neale averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Nets last season while shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Rubio put up 5.2 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Cavaliers in 33 games. Both O’Neale and Rubio have been in trade rumors since the season ended, so it will be fascinating to see if either player is moved.
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