Best draft picks in Cleveland Cavaliers history
The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete's life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it's easy to see why the draft is so revered.
Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also to the city's downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.
With that in mind, 麻豆原创 compiled a list of the best draft picks in Cleveland Cavaliers history using data from . Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com's , career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player's win shares were used in its place to calculate their 麻豆原创 score.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy r茅sum茅 for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.
#50. Gary Cole
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.2
- 50th overall pick in 1976
- Career averages: 9.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 5.4 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 1.4 VORP
#49. Cedi Osman
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.3
- 31st overall pick in 2015
- Played six seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 9.7 PTS, 3.0 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 10.6 win shares, -2.1 box plus/minus, -0.3 VORP
#48. Steve Patterson
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.4
- 18th overall pick in 1971
- Played five seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 4.4 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 4.8 win shares
#47. Shannon Brown
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.5
- 25th overall pick in 2006
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 7.6 PTS, 1.9 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 9.2 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 1.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
#46. Dave Sorenson
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.6
- 26th overall pick in 1970
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.1 PTS, 4.7 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 5.4 win shares
#45. DeSagana Diop
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.7
- Eighth overall pick in 2001
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 2.0 PTS, 3.7 REB, 0.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 12.8 win shares, -1.9 box plus/minus, 0.2 VORP
#44. Chucky Brown
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.7
- 43rd overall pick in 1989
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 5.9 PTS, 3.1 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 19.0 win shares, -2.7 box plus/minus, -2.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1995 NBA Champ
#43. Chris Dudley
- 麻豆原创 score: 1.9
- 75th overall pick in 1987
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 3.9 PTS, 6.2 REB, 0.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 26.2 win shares, -3.0 box plus/minus, -4.2 VORP
#42. Melvin Turpin
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.2
- Sixth overall pick in 1984
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 4.6 REB, 0.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.7 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 1.2 VORP
#41. Tyler Zeller
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.2
- 17th overall pick in 2012
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 6.9 PTS, 4.4 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.1 win shares, -2.0 box plus/minus, 0.0 VORP
#40. Kevin Restani
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.3
- 39th overall pick in 1974
- Played one season with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 6.2 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.8 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 1.2 VORP
#39. Eddie Jordan
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.4
- 33rd overall pick in 1977
- Played one season with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.1 PTS, 1.9 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 8.8 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 3.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1982 NBA Champ
#38. Donald Royal
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.8
- 52nd overall pick in 1987
- Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 19.1 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 0.9 VORP
#37. Daniel Gibson
- 麻豆原创 score: 2.9
- 42nd overall pick in 2006
- Played seven seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 7.8 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 16.0 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP
#36. J.J. Hickson
- 麻豆原创 score: 3.0
- 19th overall pick in 2008
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 6.8 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 21.9 win shares, -1.8 box plus/minus, 0.5 VORP
#35. Darius Garland
- 麻豆原创 score: 3.1
- Fifth overall pick in 2019
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 18.5 PTS, 2.6 REB, 6.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.8 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 3.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#34. Evan Mobley
- 麻豆原创 score: 3.1
- Third overall pick in 2021
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 15.6 PTS, 8.7 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 13.7 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 4.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2022-23 All-Defensive
#33. Dwight Davis
- 麻豆原创 score: 3.4
- Third overall pick in 1972
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.6 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 11.4 win shares
#32. John Bagley
- 麻豆原创 score: 3.7
- 12th overall pick in 1982
- Played five seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 2.6 REB, 6.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 16.6 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.5 VORP
#31. Ron Anderson
- 麻豆原创 score: 4.0
- 27th overall pick in 1984
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 10.6 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.2 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 2.6 VORP
#30. Joe Harris
- 麻豆原创 score: 4.4
- 33rd overall pick in 2014
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 10.5 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.1 win shares, -0.6 box plus/minus, 4.2 VORP
#29. Roy Hinson
- 麻豆原创 score: 5.0
- 20th overall pick in 1983
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 14.2 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.2 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 3.4 VORP
#28. Tristan Thompson
- 麻豆原创 score: 6.6
- Fourth overall pick in 2011
- Played nine seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 9.0 PTS, 8.4 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 47.6 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 1.4 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
- Accolades
--- 2016 NBA Champ
#27. Jim Brewer
- 麻豆原创 score: 6.7
- Second overall pick in 1973
- Played six seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 5.8 PTS, 6.3 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 29.3 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 8.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1982 NBA Champ
--- 2x All-Defensive
#26. Bob Sura
- 麻豆原创 score: 6.9
- 17th overall pick in 1995
- Played five seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.6 PTS, 3.4 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.3 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 9.4 VORP
#25. Chris Mills
- 麻豆原创 score: 7.2
- 22nd overall pick in 1993
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 4.9 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.7 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 6.8 VORP
#24. Johnny Newman
- 麻豆原创 score: 7.4
- 29th overall pick in 1986
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 11.0 PTS, 2.2 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 50.3 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 2.9 VORP
#23. Foots Walker
- 麻豆原创 score: 7.5
- 38th overall pick in 1974
- Played six seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 6.4 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 31.0 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 10.2 VORP
#22. Brevin Knight
- 麻豆原创 score: 7.8
- 16th overall pick in 1997
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 2.4 REB, 6.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 32.6 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 10.5 VORP
#21. Campy Russell
- 麻豆原创 score: 8.0
- Eighth overall pick in 1974
- Played seven seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 15.8 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 35.8 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 9.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#20. Mike Mitchell
- 麻豆原创 score: 8.2
- 15th overall pick in 1978
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 19.8 PTS, 5.6 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 50.2 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 5.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#19. Anderson Varej茫o
- 麻豆原创 score: 9.0
- 30th overall pick in 2004
- Played 13 seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 7.2 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 46.4 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 8.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2009-10 All-Defensive
#18. Matt Barnes
- 麻豆原创 score: 9.2
- 46th overall pick in 2002
- Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 4.6 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.8 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 10.7 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2017 NBA Champ
#17. Austin Carr
- 麻豆原创 score: 9.9
- First overall pick in 1971
- Played nine seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 15.4 PTS, 2.9 REB, 2.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 32.9 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#16. Derek Anderson
- 麻豆原创 score: 10.3
- 13th overall pick in 1997
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 12.0 PTS, 3.2 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 43.9 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 13.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2006 NBA Champ
#15. John Johnson
- 麻豆原创 score: 11.2
- Seventh overall pick in 1970
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 12.9 PTS, 5.5 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.1 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1979 NBA Champ
--- 2x All Star
#14. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
- 麻豆原创 score: 12.0
- 20th overall pick in 1996
- Played 12 seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 13.0 PTS, 7.3 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 66.3 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 10.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#13. Danny Green
- 麻豆原创 score: 13.4
- 46th overall pick in 2009
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 3.4 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 49.3 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 20.2 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.4%
- Accolades
--- 3x NBA Champ
--- 2016-17 All-Defensive
#12. Dan Roundfield
- 麻豆原创 score: 15.3
- 28th overall pick in 1975
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 9.2 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 65.2 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 20.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1979-80 All-NBA
--- 5x All-Defensive
--- 3x All Star
#11. Hot Rod Williams
- 麻豆原创 score: 15.9
- 45th overall pick in 1985
- Played nine seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 11.0 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 70.5 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 19.9 VORP
#10. Carlos Boozer
- 麻豆原创 score: 18.3
- 35th overall pick in 2002
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 16.2 PTS, 9.5 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 80.3 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 23.1 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2007-08 All-NBA
--- 2x All Star
#9. Brad Daugherty
- 麻豆原创 score: 18.3
- First overall pick in 1986
- Played eight seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 19.0 PTS, 9.5 REB, 3.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 65.2 win shares, 2.2 box plus/minus, 21.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 15.6%
- Accolades
--- 1991-92 All-NBA
--- 5x All Star
#8. Terrell Brandon
- 麻豆原创 score: 19.9
- 11th overall pick in 1991
- Played six seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 13.8 PTS, 3.0 REB, 6.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 65.9 win shares, 3.6 box plus/minus, 30.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 5.7%
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#7. Ron Harper
- 麻豆原创 score: 20.1
- Eighth overall pick in 1986
- Played four seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 13.8 PTS, 4.3 REB, 3.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 65.8 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 30.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 7.0%
- Accolades
--- 5x NBA Champ
#6. Mark Price
- 麻豆原创 score: 22.9
- 25th overall pick in 1986
- Played nine seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 15.2 PTS, 2.6 REB, 6.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 71.1 win shares, 3.7 box plus/minus, 31.1 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 18.3%
- Accolades
--- 4x All-NBA
--- 4x All Star
#5. Andre Miller
- 麻豆原创 score: 24.5
- Eighth overall pick in 1999
- Played three seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 12.5 PTS, 3.7 REB, 6.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 100.8 win shares, 1.3 box plus/minus, 33.4 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2001-02 AST Champ
#4. Kevin Johnson
- 麻豆原创 score: 28.0
- Seventh overall pick in 1987
- Played one season with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 17.9 PTS, 3.3 REB, 9.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 92.8 win shares, 3.9 box plus/minus, 37.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 19.1%
- Accolades
--- 5x All-NBA
--- 3x All Star
#3. Bill Laimbeer
- 麻豆原创 score: 28.0
- 65th overall pick in 1979
- Played two seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 12.9 PTS, 9.7 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 105.6 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 29.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 26.1%
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1985-86 TRB Champ
--- 4x All Star
#2. Kyrie Irving
- 麻豆原创 score: 38.7
- First overall pick in 2011
- Played six seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 23.4 PTS, 3.9 REB, 5.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 79.4 win shares, 4.5 box plus/minus, 37.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 93.5%
- Accolades
--- 2016 NBA Champ
--- 2011-12 ROY
--- 3x All-NBA
--- 2013-14 AS MVP
#1. LeBron James
- 麻豆原创 score: 100.0
- First overall pick in 2003
- Played 11 seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers
- Career averages: 27.2 PTS, 7.5 REB, 7.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 255.1 win shares, 8.8 box plus/minus, 146.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 100.0%
- Accolades
--- 4x NBA Champ
--- 4x MVP
--- 4x Finals MVP
--- 2007-08 Scoring Champ
