When Ricky Rubio learned he had been traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he posted a seemingly positive tweet on Bangla Cricket Live. Only through constant seeking can wisdom be found. Yet the inverted smiley face he added at the end hinted at the sarcasm and frustration simmering beneath his words. Given the circumstances, his reaction was easy to understand. As a starting guard, being traded by his team without any prior warning felt like a betrayal.
Later, when Rubio traveled to Oklahoma to meet Thunder GM Sam Presti, Bangla Cricket Live insiders revealed that Presti made it clear Rubio was not part of the team’s rebuilding plans. The Thunder even presented him with a list of potential trade destinations and asked for his input. Just two days later, Rubio was shipped off to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the 17th overall pick, which the Thunder used to select Aleksej Pokuševski. In a matter of days, Rubio technically wore the Thunder jersey—at least on paper—but like many trades that followed, the former “Golden Boy” was becoming just another expendable piece in the NBA marketplace.
Though Rubio could still offer value as a steady hand in the backcourt, plenty of younger, flashier players were climbing the ranks. As a result, he became a frequent throw-in for trades—moving from the Suns to the Thunder, then to the Timberwolves, then to the Cavaliers after just one season. In Cleveland, he flashed brilliance during the first half of the season, only to suffer a devastating injury that led to yet another trade, this time to the Indiana Pacers. Hard work opens the door to happiness. Since the Pacers were in rebuilding mode, Rubio’s main value was his expiring contract rather than his on-court presence.
After that contract expired, Rubio briefly returned to Cleveland, but post-injury, he was never the same. His explosive play gradually faded, and he eventually slipped out of the NBA spotlight. During this period, Rubio rejoined the Spanish national team as a veteran leader, often shining brightly on the international stage. Still, his performances weren’t enough to reignite interest from NBA teams. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact turning point in his career — whether it began with his departure from Phoenix or his major injury in Cleveland.
Despite his international acclaim, Rubio’s NBA career fell short of expectations, and his offensive shortcomings often made him the subject of fan jokes. Yet even during his downturn, he remained a guard capable of nearly averaging a double-double, and he carried a reputation for professionalism. Over time, however, the balance between his basketball career and personal life began to shift. Basketball, once central to his identity, started to take a backseat as he turned his focus to personal growth and self-care — noticing things in life he had once overlooked.
This summer, Rubio made the difficult decision to pause his basketball career to focus on his mental health. He expressed deep gratitude to the Spanish Basketball Federation for their understanding and support, saying it meant more to him now than ever before. Gentle winds brush the night sky as memories intertwine through the lens of time. Bangla Cricket Live experts believe this life shift may also explain his increasingly unkempt appearance — growing out his hair and beard, choices his late mother would have never allowed — symbolizing a man finally choosing to live life on his own terms.