Cavs Mailbag: Cap Relief For Rubio? Is Niang's Defense Surprising?

Welcome to Cavs Mailbag! In this daily mailbag, Spencer Davies will respond to fans’ curiosities surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the duration of the 2023-24 season. In order to submit yours, simply send your questions on X to @SpinDavies or via email at spindavies22@gmail.com.

The Cavs' four-game road trip on the West Coast begins tonight, as the wine-and-gold looks to get the Oklahoma City Thunder back for spoiling the team's home opener.

Let's get to your questions:

How’s Rubio? - @Gxry24

Do the Cavs get any salary cap relief for Rubio’s mental health absence? - @mprugh

Asking around, there is no concrete update on Ricky Rubio. The Cavs continue to give him whatever time he needs and have been supportive of him handling his personal matters.

I can confirm, however, that Cleveland will not receive any salary cap relief despite Rubio’s leave. He is a member of the 15-man roster. With his currently inactive status, the organization cannot replace him with another player in his spot — not even in a temporary manner.

Here’s the Cavs' statement on Media Day last month, which Rubio was not present for:

“Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio publicly stated in August that he was stepping away from basketball to focus on his mental health. We remain fully supportive of Ricky and his efforts which for now are best continued away from the team and have excused his absence from camp. We remain in regular communication and consultation with Ricky and will continue to assist him in any way possible. Out of respect for his privacy we will not have any further comment or be able to answer any questions. The Cavaliers organization wishes Ricky and his family well."

Officially pausing his basketball career on Aug. 5, Rubio released his own statement announcing that he would not be a part of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the Spanish national team.

“I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health. I want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision. Today #LaFamilia makes more sense than ever. Thank you. I would ask that my privacy be respected so that I can face these moments and be able to give more information when the time is right.”

Are you as surprised as I am about Niang’s defense? For a non-defender, he’s held his own it seems. Do any statistics showcase that, or am I just happy he’s not a terrible defender. - @FuznFancy

Surprised would be a reach for me because Georges Niang is a veteran. He’s been around the block a bit and has played in meaningful games alongside star talent. It’s not like he doesn’t know the game. Physically he’s in good shape — though even he is self-deprecating about his body — but Niang uses it well to hold ground against tougher matchups.

There’s one guy Niang has defended for more over nine minutes: Julius Randle, who in two games is 3-for-13 with three turnovers against him. Credit J.B. Bickerstaff for seeing him hold his own against Randle and putting Niang in the starting five in New York.

Others that Niang has been tasked with defending the most are Aaron Nesmith (4-for-8 from deep), Dario Saric (0-for-3 overall), Josh Hart (0-for-3 overall) and Draymond Green (zero field goal attempts), per NBA.com.

Sure, quicker guys can get around him on the perimeter in a wrongly-placed mismatch. The Cavs won’t ask the world of him on that end of the floor though.

If you want proof that Niang’s defense is effective, have a look at Cleveland’s advanced metrics with trios. With a minimum of 30 minutes played, the top three lineups involved Niang.

Niang, Max Strus and Isaac Okoro have a 79.5 defensive rating together. With Niang, Okoro and Donovan Mitchell, it’s an 86.0 and regarding Niang, Okoro and Evan Mobley, it’s a 91.1.

Okoro clearly plays a big part in Niang’s success, as he does in many of Cleveland’s two-man metrics as well. But together, in 73 minutes, those two are allowing 96.7 points per 100 possessions — good for best on the team.