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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 biggest steals in Cavs draft history

By Ryan Piers

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 13: Sophomore player Carlos Boozer #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against the Freshman team during the Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, a part of the 2004 NBA All-Star Weekend at The Staples Center on February 13, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The sophomores won 142-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 13: Sophomore player Carlos Boozer #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against the Freshman team during the Got Milk? Rookie Challenge, a part of the 2004 NBA All-Star Weekend at The Staples Center on February 13, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The sophomores won 142-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

There are’t too many teams that can say they stole their franchise’s second all-time scorer and rebounder as late as 20th in the NBA Draft. That’s where Cleveland plucked the 7’3″ Zydrunas Ilgauskas in 1996.

“Big Z” was incredibly steady for the Cavaliers, playing 12 seasons for Cleveland. He was a double-figure scorer in 11 of them. He finished with 10,616 points and 5,904 rebounds as a Cav, both trailing only LeBron.

Speaking of LeBron, Ilgauskas was probably the first NBA “sidekick” to James. He was a top-three scorer for Cleveland in six of LeBron’s first seven years in the league, with the pair often finishing one-two on the team.

Many fans might not think of Ilgauskas as an all-time great Cavalier. He probably gets lumped in with Mo Willilams and Larry Hughes as opposed to the likes of James, Kyrie Irving or anyone from those talented early 1990s teams.

But Ilgauskas was a key cog on a roster that made at least the Eastern Conference semifinals for five straight seasons.

There was never a lack of love for Ilgauskas, but maybe there is a slight lack of respect for his talent. Either way, he was a major steal with the 20th overall pick.

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