Cleveland Cavaliers: Predicting 2021 statistical leaders in each major category

Cleveland Cavaliers predicted assists per game leader – Ricky Rubio

This is the tough one and the one that’s most open for debate. Ricky Rubio is one of the best passing and playmaking point guards in the NBA but doesn’t get the recognition because he isn’t a flashy offensive scorer.

Rubio is the definition of a “pass first” point guard while also being a competent enough scorer to go out and score around 10 points every night. His playmaking ability was highlighted in his time in Utah, Phoenix and most recently Minnesota. He’s never averaged less than 5 assists per game and only averaged less than 7 assists per game in three seasons over his decade long career.

Assuming he comes off the bench in a sixth-man role, this will be the first time in his career where he’s been a consistent bench player. In games where he hasn’t started, his numbers rarely dipped. While Rubio took fewer shots coming off the bench, he became a facilitator and floor general. Rubio will probably play big minutes still while not starting, which will allow him to continue his starter-level production.

The only real competition Rubio would have is from the starting point guard, Darius Garland. Garland averaged 6.1 assists per game as a starter while playing over 30 minutes a game. It’s unclear if they’ll play a majority of the time alongside each other or in relief of one another so it’s a safe bet that it’ll be one of them. Personally, I’m leaning towards the vet, Ricky Rubio.