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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 Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

3. John Stockton/Karl Malone -1984/1985

Yes, the dynamic duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone could have taken place in Cleveland rather than Utah had the Cavaliers not missed on both players in back-to-back NBA Drafts.

Let’s start with Stockton who was selected 16th overall in the 1984 draft. The future Hall of Famer had a fantastic senior season at Gonzaga and should have been on the Cavaliers radar. Instead, the franchise chose Tim McCormick from the University of Michigan.

McCormick never appeared in a game for the Cavaliers and averaged just 8.3 points per game for his short career. As for Stockton, he went on to become the NBA’s All-Time leader in assists and steals.

MORE CAVS. Top 3 NBA Draft prospects to target. light

In the 1985 draft, the Cavaliers set their eyes on Charles Oakley with the ninth pick. This wasn’t a bad selection at all as Oakley won the Rookie of the Year Award and became a two-time All-Defensive member. The only problem is, the Cavaliers traded Oakley before he even had a chance to suit up for them. In return, the Cavs received Ennis Whatley and Keith Lee. Neither one of those players ever reached an All-Star Game.

Selected four picks after Oakley was Karl Malone. A muscular big man that could run up and down the floor with ease, Malone scored over 30,000 points in his 19-year career.

Malone and Stockton reached a combined total of 24 All-Star Games together and challenged Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals twice. It’s a shame this iconic pairing couldn’t have happened in Cleveland.

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