Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are an American professional basketball team in the NBA. Established in 1970, they are also commonly referred to as the Cavs. The Cavaliers represent Cleveland, Ohio, and compete in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Since the beginning, the franchise has had its ups and downs, but its first championship came in 2016. Hometown hero LeBron James made history for the team with a victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Cleveland Cavaliers Famous Players

LeBron James

Considered by many as the best of all time, LeBron James is the greatest player in Cavaliers history. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, LeBron was the first overall pick for the Cavaliers in 2003. His presence immediately turned the Cavs into contenders. With four MVPs, numerous All-Star selections, and other accolades, LeBron's most significant contribution was leading the team to its first NBA Championship in 2016, a feat that ended the city’s long-standing title drought.

Mark Price

Mark Price, the sharpshooting point guard was drafted in 1986 by the Cleveland Cavaliers. With his shooting ability, Price was a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time Three-Point Contest champion. Price led the team to multiple playoffs and to date is one of the greatest players for the franchise.

Kyrie Irving

The Cleveland Cavaliers took Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick in 2011. After winning Rookie of the Year, Irving became a fan favorite, thanks to his ball handling and style. However, he will always be remembered for his big three-pointer against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

Brad Daugherty

Drafted first overall in 1986, Brad Daugherty quickly emerged as an icon for the Cavaliers. Standing at 7 feet tall, this dominant center achieved All-Star status five times throughout his career. Even though injuries interfered with his play, his indelible contribution solidified his status as a cherished figure in Cavs history, marked by the retirement of his jersey number, 43.

Kevin Love

Kevin Love­, obtained in a blockbuster trade back in 2014, quickly became an indispensable asse­t for the Cavaliers during their triumphant championship journey. While mostly recognized for his e­xceptional rebounding and scoring abilities, Love­ also played a pivotal role in fortifying the Cavalie­rs' defense in their 2016 title run. With five All-Star selections under his be­lt, Love remains a highly influential playe­r in the NBA today.

Read More about NBA All-Star Weekend

Cleveland Cavaliers History

Since the 1970s, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been known as the Cavs. The early years of the team were full of struggle when the franchise started expanding the team. However, they started to become a more competitive team in the 1980s and 1990s.

The franchise drafted LeBron James in 2003 and the rest is history. The franchise immediately became a playoff contender and won its first NBA championship in 2016.

Since the LeBron era, the Cavs have also had their ups and downs. The drafting of Kyrie Irving in 2011 and the acquisition of Kevin Love in 2014 were notable highlights that helped shape the team’s competitive aspirations.

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Roster

Cleveland Cavaliers Owner

Dan Gilbert has owned the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2005 and has been instrumental in the team’s modern success. An entrepreneur and founder of Quicken Loans, Gilbert bought the Cavaliers with a vision to turn them into a contender. Under his ownership, the Cavaliers have truly achieved this dream, especially the 2016 NBA championship.

Gilbert is also eager to invest in the team's facilities, including major improvements to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, aimed at enhancing the fan experience. His commitment to the franchise isn't about collecting people not only a star-studded mouth but will fostering a culture of excellence and community involvement through its leadership. Gilbert established the Cavaliers as one of the premier organizations in the NBA, both on and off the court.

Cleveland Cavaliers Net Worth

As of 2023, the net worth of the Cleveland Cavaliers is estimated at around $2.05 billion. The valuation of the franchise increased in 2016 when they won the NBA championship.

This figure also indicates the involvement of the franchise in the state — job creation and overall elevation of the city’s profile on a global scale.

Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach

Kenny Atkinson is the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is 57 years old and takes over as the 24th head coach in the team’s history. Before joining the Cavaliers, Atkinson spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, helping the team win the NBA Championship in 2022.

Cavaliers President Koby Altman praised Atkinson for his experience, work ethic, and player development skills, saying he can help the team grow and compete for championships. Atkinson has also been an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers and was head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, where he led them to their first playoff appearance since 2015.

Originally from Northport, New York, Atkinson played professionally for 14 years in various countries and had a successful college career at the University of Richmond, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Read more about Cleveland Cavaliers mascot.

Cleveland Cavaliers Championships

The Cavs have only one NBA championship to date. They won the title in 2016, ending Cleveland’s wait for a major sports title since 1964. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love led the Cavs to the title. They defeated Stephy Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.