The Cleveland Cavaliers had the 49th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft where guard Tyrese Proctor was selected out of Duke. Let’s take a look at the Cavaliers best NBA draft picks in franchise history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Only time with the team is credited. Some honorable mentions include John Johnson, Austin Carr, Mike Mitchell, John Bagley, Roy Hinson, Ron Harper, Andre Miller, and Carlos Boozer.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Cleveland Cavaliers History
10. Tristan Thompson (4th overall, 2011)
There were a few viable options for the 10th spot, but let’s go with one from the 2016 championship team. Tristan Thompson was the starting power forward throughout that postseason run. In both 2018-19 and 2019-20, he averaged a double-double in points and rebounds.
9. Campy Russell (8th overall, 1974)
An All-Star in 1978-79, Campy Russell spent seven years in Cleveland. His All-Star season was one of three in which the 6-foot-8 forward averaged at least 18 points per outing. Russell’s career-high of 41 points came on March 13, 1979 against the Phoenix Suns.
8. Terrell Brandon (11th overall, 1991)
Mostly utilized off the bench his first three seasons, Terrell Brandon ended his Cleveland tenure as the full-time starting point guard. Listed at under six feet (5-foot-11), he was named an All-Star his last two years with the team (1995-96 and 1996-97). In both of those years, he posted averages of greater than 19 points and six assists.
7. Hot Rod Williams (45th overall, 1985)
Despite being a second round pick, Hot Rod Williams had a productive nine seasons with the Cavaliers. He averaged double figures in scoring every year as well as at least 1.4 blocks. His 1,200 rejections are the second-most in team history.
6. Evan Mobley (3rd overall, 2021)
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley can certainly move up this list as he has played just four seasons. The 6-foot-11 power forward has begun dabbling with the three-point shot more frequently, connecting on 37% of his threes last season. He was named to his first All-Star and second All-Defensive first team in 2024-25.
5. Darius Garland (5th overall, 2019)
A second-time All-Star this past season, Darius Garland is now six seasons deep into his career. In the last five years, he has averaged 20 points and 7.2 assists while shooting just shy of 40% from beyond the arc. Still just 25 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard still has ample time to improve his standing.
4. Brad Daugherty (1st overall, 1986)
Brad Daugherty was likely in line to be a Hall of Fame center had back issues not forced him out of the league by age 28. The seven-footer was named an All-Star five times in his eight seasons. For three straight years from 1990-91 until 1992-93, he averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.
3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20th overall, 1996)
The franchise all-time leader in blocks (1,269) and offensive rebounds (2,336), Zydrunas Ilgauskas played 12 years with the Cavaliers. His 299 offensive rebounds led the league in 2004-05. The 7-foot-3 center was an All-Star in 2002-03 and 2004-05.
Has 2. Kyrie Irving (1st overall, 2011)
It was Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer towards the end of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals that gave Cleveland the lead, and soon after, the title. The 2011-12 Rookie of the Year made four All-Star teams in his six seasons with the Cavaliers. In all four of those years, Irving averaged at least 20.8 points and 5.2 assists.
1. LeBron James (1st overall, 2003)
LeBron James seemingly entered the league with impossible expectations, and he’s somehow exceeded them. His accolades are endless, but they include two MVPs and eight All-NBA first teams in 11 years for Cleveland. James won a scoring title in 2007-08 and won Finals MVP when the team won their first title in 2016.
Photo credit: © Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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