Hoops Habit
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: 8 times they missed out on a superstar in the NBA Draft

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 14, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 14, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 9
Next
Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

7. Amar’e Stoudemire – 2002

Following their disastrous selections in the 2001 NBA Draft, the Cavaliers were looking to get it right this time around. The team finished with 29 wins heading into the summer and secured the sixth overall pick.

Yao Ming was an easy first selection for the Houston Rockets but from there the talent thinned out quickly for the Cavaliers. The next four picks all failed to ever reach an All-Star Game but the Cavs still had a chance of selecting a future stud with prospects like Amar’e Stoudemire, Caron Butler and Tayshaun Prince available.

Instead, the Cavaliers bought in on Dejuan Wagner, who’s career was over after four uncompleted seasons. He never appeared in more than 47 games in a single season and averaged just 6.0 points on 36.2 percent shooting after his semi-productive rookie year.

light. Related Story. 25 best players for every NBA franchise

As for the rest of the draft class, Stoudemire exploded as an uber-athletic forward that thrived in the Phoenix Suns run-and-gun playstyle. Stat won the Rookie of the Year Award and put up 26.0 points per game in his third season.

Stoudemire was a highlight play waiting to happen. Running alongside Steve Nash, Stat was the beneficiary of a system that would go on to become the norm in the modern-day NBA. Amar’e earned a spot in six All-Star Games and five All-NBA teams before he retired.

Thankfully, the Cavaliers draft woes ended the next year when they struck gold and drafted LeBron James first overall. Nonetheless, it would have been a great sight to see James and Stoudemire run the floor together.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers