Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Re-drafting the Cleveland Cavaliers rookies from 2000-2003 (Pre-LeBron Era)

By Chad Porto

Carlos Boozer of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks during a press conference for the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 13, 2004. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Carlos Boozer of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks during a press conference for the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 13, 2004. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO – FEBRUARY 17: Guards Jamal Crawford #1(r) and Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls talk strategy during a game against Toronto Raptors on February 17, 2004 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 75-73. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – FEBRUARY 17: Guards Jamal Crawford #1(r) and Kirk Hinrich #12 of the Chicago Bulls talk strategy during a game against Toronto Raptors on February 17, 2004 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Raptors 75-73. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2000  – Draft Pick No. 8

1st Round

Drafted: Jamal Crawford (Traded to CHI for Chris Mihm)
Re-Draft Pick: Jamal Crawford

2nd Round

Drafted: N/A (Traded for Greg Graham)
Re-Draft Pick: N/A

Jamal Crawford was the right call here for the Cleveland Cavaliers. What wasn’t the right call? Trading him for Chris Mihm. Now Mihm actually had a long career as a rotation player, averaging about 20 minutes a game. If this was the 50th pick in the draft, that’s a great value.

Mihm was taken at the time where there was uncertainty over the future of young prospect Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was coming off of an entire missed season due to foot issues. Since Ilgauskas wasn’t expected to play much in the 2000-2001 season, it was understandable why Mihm was traded for but still ill-advised.

Crawford however was the No. 8 pick in the draft and played like it. Especially since the 2000 NBA Draft had five players who were really worth anything, making Crawford a steal. Of those five names, Crawford was joined by Kenyon Martin, Mike Miller, Jamaal Magloire, and Michael Redd as viable pieces..

Magloire, Redd, and Martin all made an All-Star team once in their careers and were collecively considered fringe All-Star players for a good chunk of their primes. Crawford and Miller were Sixth Man of the Year award winners during their careers. So all pretty comparable talents across the board.

Yet, Crawford is easily the best player in this class. Not only did he rack up more personal awards (three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner), but he also had the longest career as well, with him playing just last season during the 2018-2019 year as a member of the Phoenix Suns.

As of Mach of 2020, Crawford was still hoping for a call from an NBA team desperate for instant offense off the bench.

Beyond Crawford, the Cavs didn’t have a second-round pick this year. Their pick was used to get Eddie House, which means if the Cavs had hung onto that pick, then the team could’ve selected Michael Redd who went just six picks after House.

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