Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

4 of the worst times the Cleveland Cavalier picked the wrong player in the modern era

By Chad Porto

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: General manager Trajan Langdon of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 11: General manager Trajan Langdon of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bachman/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES – 1989: Vlade Divac #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out Paul Mokeski #44 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1989. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – 1989: Vlade Divac #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes out Paul Mokeski #44 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1989. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images) /

Picked: John Morton/Passed: Vlade Divac

The Cleveland Cavaliers used their 1989 pick on John Morton, who on his own would have been on the list or any list like it. He only lasted three years in the NBA, scoring just 4.8 points for his career. He was beaten up a lot and slowed by injuries and ineffective play.

That alone would make him a candidate for this list, but it’s made even worse when you realize that Vlade Divac was taken right after him.

Now, for Cavs fans of a certain age, they’ll remember the Cavs had Brad Daugherty at center in those days and used John “Hot Rod Williams” and Larry Nance as alternates at the five-spot when Daugherty was subbed out. So there wasn’t really a need for a second pure-center on the team.

That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have had value. He would have, absolutely. Daugherty was beginning to slow down some due to injuries, which would end his career in 1993-1994. Had the Cavs drafted and held onto Divac, played him off the bench, and had him coached up, he would’ve been able to replace Daughtery in 1994.

Instead, the Cavs wasted a pick on a guy who played just 128 games. So yeah, it could’ve been better.

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