Factory Of Sadness
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Redrafting the Cleveland Cavaliers rookies from 2004-2009 (LeBron James Era)

By Chad Porto

LeBron James (R) of Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Pat Garrity (C) and Hedo Turkoglu of Orlando Magic during their NBA pre-season game at the Venetian Macao in Macau, 20 October 2007. Orlando Magic won 100-84. AFP PHOTO/Ted ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)
LeBron James (R) of Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Pat Garrity (C) and Hedo Turkoglu of Orlando Magic during their NBA pre-season game at the Venetian Macao in Macau, 20 October 2007. Orlando Magic won 100-84. AFP PHOTO/Ted ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat posts up Christian Eyenga #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game at American Airlines Arena on February 7, 2012 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat posts up Christian Eyenga #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game at American Airlines Arena on February 7, 2012 in Miami, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2009 – Draft Pick No. 30, 46

1st Round

Drafted: Christian Eyenga
Re-Drafted: Patrick Beverly

2nd Round

Drafted: Danny Green
Re-Drafted: Danny Green

Neither player was game to help LeBron James coming out of the draft. It would take time for Danny Green to get good. Which was a lot quicker than it took Christian Eyenga. Eyenga never put it together in the NBA. He couldn’t score and had a hard time staying on the court to be effective. He was traded halfway into his second season to the Los Angeles Lakers who ended up not retaining him at the end of the year.

Green, on the other hand, would take a few years to develop but would do just that with the San Antonio Spurs. He’s averaged around 25 minutes a game for his time in the NBA and usually puts up near 10 points a game every season. He’s also a tremendous defensive player. His dynamic abilities helped not just San Antonio but Toronto as well win NBA titles thanks in part to his stellar play.

In this re-drafting, the Cavs would take Patrick Beverly at the end of the first round, and allow him time to develop into the player he is today. Beverly and Green would instantly become the hardest guard combo to score on in the NBA by their third years. While maybe not All-Stars, the two future starters could’ve been the start to a Grit and Grind Cavaliers, similar to what the Grizzlies had at the time. The only difference is that the Cavs could’ve been playoff contenders right away with them and a few key additions around them. Like with Los Angeles Clippers’ No. 1 overall draft pick, perhaps?

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

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