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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) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

6. Dennis Rodman – 1986

Dennis Rodman is perhaps the most interesting player in NBA history. An underdog that fought his way to stardom and eventually disappeared as a Hall of Famer, Rodman had a fascinating basketball career.

Drafted 27th overall, not many teams seemed to believe in Rodman. The Detroit Pistons took a chance on the young forward and helped transform him into a beast. Rodman had a never-ending motor and was relentless defensively.

He completely bought into the team system and did everything in his power to help the team despite not being a gifted scorer. Rodman only had one season in which he averaged more than 10 points per game but led the league in rebounds a total of seven-times and won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Awards during the Pistons two championship seasons.

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Rodman finished a two-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion. He is one of the all-time great rebounders, racking up nearly 12,000 rebounds during the course of his 14 NBA seasons, the 23rd most in league history.

The Cavaliers had two chances to draft Rodman in 1986. They chose Brad Daugherty with their first selection, a pick that proved to be worthy as Daugherty reached five All-Star Games and eventually had his jersey retired by the franchise.

As for their other pick, they selected Ron Harper. Harper wasn’t a disappointment by any means, averaging nearly 20 points per game during his time in Cleveland. However, it’s hard to imagine Rodman couldn’t have helped the Cavaliers get over the hump and defeat Michael Jordan during the late 80s as he did with the Pistons.

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