Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) high-five during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 11

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Carlos Boozer (PF) — No. 35 pick in 2002 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Cavaliers): 156 GP, 12.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.9 STL, 0.7 BLK, 1.5 TOV, 52.8 FG%, 14.3 3P%, 76.9 FT%

Well, we did sorta hint that this list wasn’t exactly going to be made up of the greatest talents in NBA history. At least not until we approach the top five. As such, the immortal Carlos Boozer leads us off.

Mr. And-Oneeeeeee spent just his first two seasons in Cleveland, averaging nearly a double-double during his brief time with the organization.

His career didn’t really take off until after he left the franchise in restricted free agency and joined the Utah Jazz. Eventually, he became a two-time All-Star and made one All-NBA Third Team. He was even good enough in his prime to receive a spot on the fabled “Redeem Team” — USA Basketball’s 2008 gold-medal-winning Olympic squad.

He didn’t get much playing time for them understandably, but it was still an incredible accolade for the former Duke big man.

The way Boozer left Cleveland (reportedly agreed to re-sign with the team before booking it to the Western Conference) should have probably cost him his spot on this list. But in all honesty, it’s hard to find many other Cavs draft picks who had similar impacts in their careers.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers