Cleveland Cavaliers: Starting Five From LeBron-less Era
Point Guard- #85 Baron DavisPoint Guard- #85 Baron Davis
Point Guard- #85 Baron Davis
Yes, that is former Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Baron Davis with former Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta. Ironically, both had short stints in the city.
Whereas Acta’s tenure spanned three seasons, Davis played in only 15 games with the Wine & Gold during the 2010-11 season. He was acquired in a late February 2011 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Cavaliers received Davis and a 2011 first-round pick, while relinquishing both point guard Mo Williams and small forward Jamario Moon to the Los Angeles Clippers.
There are two reasons Davis is in my LeBron-less starting five.
1. Everyone forgets the two-time All-Star suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Davis played in 15 games, starting nine. The then 31-year-old Davis averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 assists and shot .421 from the floor in the meaningless-late season contests. I attended a game at Quicken Loans Arena for the sole purpose of seeing him play. Sad, I know.
2. Uh, look what we received in this deal. Forget Davis, I’m talking about the 2011 first-round pick. The Clippers wanted to dump salary and swap their aging point guard for the younger Williams, a former All-Star himself. The addition of Moon to the deal made it possible to receive the eventual fourth-overall selection in the 2011 draft.
Kyrie Irving was selected first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Tristan Thompson was selected fourth overall, with the pick acquired from the Clippers; And the rest is history.