The Cavs have 14 former players in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
The Cavs did not have a good year in 2020-2021, that doesn’t mean that the former Cavs shared the fate of the former team. At least 14 players have taken up the cause for their current team in the 2020-2021 NBA playoffs. Most of them, it turns out, are in the Eastern Conference and two teams, The 76ers and Nets, have at least three former Cavaliers on their roster.
Sure, everyone is aware of LeBron James in Los Angeles or Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn but they aren’t the only Cavaliers playing in this years playoffs, and heck, they aren’t the only Cavaliers playing for those resepctive squads.
Now, there might be a name or two off the list, but that’s only because they haven’t actively participated in any playoff action as of yet. It’s not a complete dissqualifier as you’ll see, but sometimes names can be overlooked. That’s just the unfortunate case with any of these list. You never know who you might accientaly leave off unintentionally.
Hopefully over the next year, the Cavs can make their own moves and improve their team siginficantly so we’re not back here doing another list. Though, with that said, this is just one of a few ideas that will be coming out as we track the former Cavaliers in their quest to win the NBA Championship.
So keep an eye out for more of these.
Eastern Conference
Tristan Thompson (Celtics)
The starting center for the Boston Celtics, Tristan Thompson left the Cavs organizsation in the 2020 offseason hoping to get a shot at another championship. The only problem is that he’s part of a Celtics team that is going toe to toe with the Brookly Nets. He’s not doing too well either, avearaging just 9.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two decidedly lopsided losses to the Nets.
Joe Harris, Jeff Green & Kyrie Irving (Nets)
Kyrie Irving is putting up 22 points, 6 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while Joe Harris is shooting 56% from three and averaging 17.5 points per game so far. Jeff Green just got hurt, but he was putting up 4.5 points and two rebounds. Harris and Irving are two big factos for the Nets success and the more they produce, the sillier the Cavs look for letting them go. Especially Harris.
Seth Curry, George Hill & Danny Green (76ers)
Ranking fourth, fifth and sixth on the 76ers in scoring, Seth Curry, George Hill and Danny Green were all at one time Cavs. Though for those wondering about Curry and Green, it’s not like they had memorable runs with Cleveland. Curry is putting up 12 points so far, while Hill and Green are putting up nine and eight points respectively, while shooting over 50% each.
Derrick Rose & Alec Burks (Knicks)
Derrick Rose spent about half a season with the Cavs, and he’s averaging 21.5 points per game while contributing 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as well, all while shooting nearly 46% from the field. The other player who dawend a Cavs jersey is Alec Burks, who came in a year after Rose. Burks is second on the Knicks with 19 points per game; meaning the former Cavs players are averaging 40 points for the Knicks.
Western Conference
Jordan Clarkson (Jazz)
The 2021 Sixth-Man of the Year is former Cavs guard Jordan Clarkson. He’s been playing well for the Jazz so far, putting up 15.0 points per game, with 4.5 rebounds. Not bad for the sixth man and first off the bench. The Cavs traded Clarkson away and got back Dante Exum and two secound round pics. So all in all not great.
LeBron Jamaes & Andre Drummond (Lakers)
LeBron James left in free agency, while Andre Drummond wanted out and was eventually given his release. James is averaging just 20.5 points per game, 9.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Far from what many remember from his Cavs’ days. Drummond isn’t playing much better, in fact Lakers Nation hates him. He’s averaging just 13.5 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. Fine numbers but not for his salary.
Cameron Payne, Jae Crowder (Suns)
Another player many won’t remember was in Clevleand is Cameron Payne, wh’s averaging 12.0 points per game for the Suns, as well as four assists. Jae Crowder is only putting up 8.0 points per game, while also putting up five rebounds per game. The two are key contibutors for the Suns in their attempt to knock off the Lakers.
JaVale McGee (Nuggets)
He’s yet to play a singla minute of playoff backsetball but he’s onthe squad and that has to count for something, right? McGee should get minutes eventually, as he’s had success in the NBA playffos in the past.