Is Jerome ready to step up for Cavs while Rubio is stepping away?

Throughout his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it’s been clear that Ricky Rubio has had a lasting effect on players such as Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and a litony of other players. Rubio’s on and off-court leadership has been invaluable for Cleveland over the course of the last two seasons, and his presence has been huge for the Cavaliers in their turnaround in that time.

Rubio did not have a great season on the floor last year in his return from a torn ACL from December of 2021, and expectations had to be tempered for him last year, anyway. Although with Rubio previously set to play for Team Spain in the FIBA World Cup of Basketball set to begin later this month, there was reason to…