Who are the best Cleveland Cavaliers players in history? Joining the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team, the Cavs ended the city’s 52-year championship drought in 2006.
All for one, one for all. This is a franchise with a storied history and we take a look at the ten best Cavaliers of all time:
10. Kevin Love
Arriving from the Timberwolves in 2014 in a trade which saw Andrew Wiggins’s move the other way, an already two-time All-Star Kevin Love added three more appearances during his time at Cleveland.
Love played a huge role in Cleveland’s 2016 NBA Finals grabbing crucial boards, stretching the floor and banking key shots to help Cleveland end a 52-year championship drought.
9. Austin Carr
Austin Carr is considered one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers players of all time due to his exceptional scoring ability, highlighted by his standout performances in the earlier years of the franchise.
Known for his explosive offensive talent, Carr even earned the nickname “Mr Cavalier” after nine seasons in Cleveland, helping to shape the Cavs identity with his charisma and leadership.
8. Ron Harper
Ron Harper is one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers players ever after being drafted eight overall in 1986. After four seasons of averaging close to 20 points per game he was traded to the Clippers.
Harper’s best basketball however was in Chicago, with the shooting guard becoming a fan favorite as he helped Michael Jordan and the Bulls to three NBA titles. He won another two titles with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
7. Bingo Smith
Bingo Smith was one of the original Cavaliers after joining during the expansion draft in 1970. The first player in Cavs history to score over 10,000 points, he was the pioneer of the “Rainbow Jumper” shot.
So important was Smith’s contributions in laying the foundation for the franchise’s future success, the #7 has been retired in his honour and he remains one of franchises biggest icons.
6. Larry Nance Sr.
Larry Nance Sr. was a versatile forward known for his athleticism and defensive skills. He played for the Cavaliers for seven seasons earning two All-Star selections during his time in Cleveland.
Nance was a key player in the Cavaliers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. His legacy continues through his son, Larry Nance Jr., who played for the franchise across four seasons.
5. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Big Lithuanian-born Zydrunas Ilgauskas was a fan favorite during his 12 years with the Cavaliers. The towering center became a two-time All-Star and a key contributor alongside LeBron James.
His rebounding and shot-blocking prowess made him a vital part of the team, and his loyalty to the franchise made him a Cavs icon with all but 72 of his 843 games in the NBA at the franchise.
4. Brad Daugherty
Brad Daugherty is one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers ever and an early star for the franchise. Drafted in 1986 “The Big Train” was a skilled center with a high basketball IQ, and his #43 since retired by the Cavs.
Daugherty was a five-time All-Star and played for the franchise in all eight seasons of his career. He was also a key part of the Cavs run to the Eastern Conference finals in 1992.
3. Mark Price
In nine seasons at the franchise Mark Price became a four-time All-Star. He’s regarded as the originator of the modern day shooting and scoring point guard, and he was effectively impossible to trap.
Price was known for his exceptional shooting ability and playmaking skills, and he played a crucial role in helping the Cavaliers become a competitive force in the Eastern Conference.
2. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving became the greatest point guard in Cleveland history in six seasons after being picked first overall in 2011. His ball-handling and clutchness completely turned around a franchise that was in rebuild mode.
Irving earned icon status in Cleveland after his heroic performances in the 2016 NBA Finals, most notably “The Shot”, a go-ahead 3-pointer with 53 seconds left in Game 7. That alone makes him one of the best Cavs players in history.
1. LeBron James
LeBrin James doesn’t need an introduction and there’s no doubt that he’s the best Cavaliers player of all time. From high school basketball in Akron, he’d be drafted into the NBA in 2003 only 40 miles away in Cleveland.
Instantly he became the face of the franchise but moved to Miami winning back-to-back championships. Guiding the Cavaliers to winning the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron forever entrenched himself into Cleveland folklore by almost single handedly ending a 52-year championship drought for the city.
