Hoops Habit
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: 15 NBA stars you forgot played for the Cavs

By Tony Pesta

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: Ben Wallace #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: Ben Wallace #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 16
Next
(Photo by KIMBERLY BARTH / AFP) (Photo by KIMBERLY BARTH/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by KIMBERLY BARTH / AFP) (Photo by KIMBERLY BARTH/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. Shawn Kemp (1997-2000)

Shawn Kemp made a career out of being an otherworldly athletic talent. His time with the Seattle SuperSonics cemented him as one of the world’s best dunkers. He was a high flying big man with explosive athleticism and little regard for opposing defenders.

Kemp spent eight years with the Sonics, was selected to three All-NBA teams and helped push Seattle to the 1996 NBA Finals. However, they were stumped by the great Michael Jordan and defeated in six games.

After a disappointing seven-game series against the Houston Rockets one year later, the Sonics elected to blow it up and trade Kemp to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Landing in Cleveland, Kemp still had some gas left in the tank. In his first season with the Cavs, he averaged 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds and reached the All-Star Game. This would serve as the last All-Star appearance in Kemp’s career.

Kemp spent two more seasons in Cleveland, posting surprisingly strong numbers despite gaining a noticeable amount of weight and losing some of his athleticism. He was later traded to the Portland Trail Blazers then finished his career with the Orlando Magic.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers