Editing Cleveland Cavaliers

{{Short description|National Basketball Association team in Cleveland, Ohio}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball club
| name = Cleveland Cavaliers
| current = 2024–25 Cleveland Cavaliers season
| logo = Cleveland Cavaliers logo.svg
| imagesize = 170px
| conference = [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern]]
| division = [[Central Division (NBA)|Central]]
| founded = 1970
| history = '''Cleveland Cavaliers'''<br />1970–present<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA.com/Stats–Cleveland Cavaliers seasons|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612739/seasons|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Stats.NBA.com|access-date=December 2, 2022|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202035957/https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612739/seasons|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Franchise History–NBA Advanced Stats|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/history|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>
| arena = [[Rocket Arena]]
| location = [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]]
| colors = [[Wine (color)|Wine]], gold, black<ref name="CavsModernLogos">{{cite press release|title=Cavaliers Introduce Modernized Logo Collection|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-brand-launch-220602|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=June 3, 2022|quote=The updated colorway of wine, gold and black, carries forward the same iconic Cavaliers Wine and brings back a reflective, shiny, proper Cavaliers Gold that originated in the early 80s and re-emerged in the details of 2003-10 era uniforms.|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603024001/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-brand-launch-220602|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CavsBringBackGold">{{cite press release|title=Cavaliers bring back gold, introduce modernized logo collection|url=https://www.nba.com/news/cavaliers-introduce-modernized-logo-collection|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=June 3, 2022|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603024208/https://www.nba.com/news/cavaliers-introduce-modernized-logo-collection|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet|url=https://cdn-assets-us.frontify.com/s3/frontify-enterprise-files-us/eyJwYXRoIjoibmJhXC9maWxlXC9OS0RFSHJNMk5hR1FlNUJBb050ay5wZGYifQ:nba:dAoD3VUaHUTzSkBuTfQA0dx_vbSWpZXjI0Rbv6vbI6g|publisher=NBA Properties, Inc.|access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref><br />{{color box|#860038}} {{color box|#BC945C}} {{color box|#000000}}
| sponsor = [[Cleveland-Cliffs]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Cleveland Cavaliers sign Cliffs jersey patch deal|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/cliffs-release-220329|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|date=March 29, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-date=July 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722121554/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/cliffs-release-220329|url-status=live}}</ref>
| owner = {{ubl|[[Dan Gilbert]] (majority)<ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Gilbert Confirms Contract Has Been Signed to Purchase Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team; Rights to Operate Gund Arena|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_statement_050103.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|date=January 3, 2005|access-date=November 29, 2015|archive-date=August 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816134355/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_statement_050103.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Gary Gilbert]] (minority)|[[Usher (singer)|Usher Raymond]] (minority)|[[Myles Garrett]] (minority)}}
| ceo = Nic Barlage<ref name="Executives">{{cite web|title=Executive Bios|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/team/executive-team|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|access-date=June 3, 2022|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603024009/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/team/executive-team|url-status=live}}</ref>
| president = [[Koby Altman]]
| gm = [[Mike Gansey]]
| coach = [[Kenny Atkinson]]
| affiliation = [[Cleveland Charge]]
| league_champs = '''1 ''' ([[2016 NBA Finals|2016]])
| conf_champs = '''5''' ([[2007 NBA playoffs|2007]], [[2015 NBA playoffs|2015]], [[2016 NBA playoffs|2016]], [[2017 NBA playoffs|2017]], [[2018 NBA playoffs|2018]])
| div_champs = '''8''' ([[1975–76 NBA season|1976]], [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]], [[2009–10 NBA season|2010]], [[2014–15 NBA season|2015]], [[2015–16 NBA season|2016]], [[2016–17 NBA season|2017]], [[2017–18 NBA season|2018]], [[2024-25 NBA season|2025]])
| ret_nums = '''7''' (<!-- Do not add Bill Russell. Only names hanging up in the arena should be listed here. -->[[Bingo Smith|7]], [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas|11]], [[Larry Nance|22]], [[Mark Price|25]], [[Austin Carr|34]], [[Nate Thurmond|42]], [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|43]])
| website = {{URL|nba.com/cavaliers}}
| 1_title = Association
| 1_pattern_b = _clevelandcavaliers_association2223
| 1_pattern_s = _clevelandcavaliers_association2223
| 2_title = Icon
| 2_pattern_b = _clevelandcavaliers_icon2223
| 2_pattern_s = _clevelandcavaliers_icon2223 
| 3_title = Statement
| 3_pattern_b = _clevelandcavaliers_statemement2223
| 3_pattern_s = _clevelandcavaliers_statement2223
}}

The '''Cleveland Cavaliers''', often referred to as the '''Cavs''', are an American professional [[basketball]] team based in [[Cleveland]]. The Cavaliers compete in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) as a member of the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]] of the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]. The team began play as an [[expansion team]] in [[1970–71 NBA season|1970]], along with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] and [[Buffalo Braves]]. Home games were first held at [[Cleveland Arena]] from 1970 to 1974, followed by the [[Richfield Coliseum]] from 1974 to 1994. Since 1994, the Cavs have played home games at [[Rocket Arena]] in [[downtown Cleveland]], which is shared with the [[Cleveland Monsters]] of the [[American Hockey League]]. [[Dan Gilbert]] has owned the team since March 2005.

The Cavaliers opened their inaugural season by losing their first 15 games and struggled in their early years, placing no better than sixth in the Eastern Conference during their first five seasons. The team won their first Central Division title in 1976, which also marked the first winning season and playoff appearance in franchise history, where they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The franchise was purchased by [[Ted Stepien]] in 1980. Stepien's tenure as owner was marked by six coaching changes, questionable trades and [[NBA draft|draft]] decisions, and poor attendance, leading to $15 million in financial losses. The Cavs went 66–180 over the course of those three seasons and endured a 24-game losing streak spanning the 1981–82 and 1982–83 seasons.

[[George Gund III|George]] and [[Gordon Gund]] purchased the franchise in 1983. During the latter half of the 1980s and through much of the 1990s, the Cavs were a regular playoff contender – led by players such as [[Mark Price]] and [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] – and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. After the team's playoff appearance in the 1997–98 season, however, the Cavs had six consecutive losing seasons with no playoff action. Cleveland was awarded with the top overall pick in the [[2003 NBA draft|2003 draft]], and they selected [[LeBron James]]. Behind James and [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]], the Cavaliers again became a regular playoff contender by 2005. They made their first appearance in the [[NBA Finals]] in [[2007 NBA Finals|2007]] after winning the first Eastern Conference championship in franchise history. After failing to return to the NBA Finals in the ensuing three seasons, James joined the [[Miami Heat]] in 2010. As a result, the Cavaliers finished the 2010–11 season last in the conference, enduring a 26-game losing streak, the [[List of National Basketball Association longest losing streaks|third-longest in NBA history]]. Between 2010 and 2014, however, the team won the top pick in the [[NBA draft lottery]] three times – first in [[2011 NBA draft|2011]] where they selected [[Kyrie Irving]], and again in [[2013 NBA draft|2013]] and [[2014 NBA draft|2014]].

After four seasons with the Heat and having won back-to-back titles in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, James returned to the Cavs in 2014 and led the team to four straight NBA Finals appearances. In [[2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2016]], the Cavaliers won their first [[NBA Championship]], marking [[Cleveland sports curse|Cleveland's first major sports title]] since 1964. The [[2016 NBA Finals]] victory over the [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] marked the first time in Finals history a team had come back to win the series after trailing 3–1. The Cavaliers have 25 playoff appearances and have won eight Central Division titles, five Eastern Conference titles and one NBA title.

==History==
{{Main|History of the Cleveland Cavaliers}}
The Cavaliers began play in the [[1970–71 NBA season|1970–71 season]] as an expansion team.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lubinger|first=Bill|date=June 24, 2010|title=It was 40 years ago that the Cleveland Cavaliers prepared for their first NBA draft|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/06/remember_when_it_was_40_years.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803212859/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/06/remember_when_it_was_40_years.html |archive-date=August 3, 2020 }}</ref> They set losing records in each of their first five seasons before winning their first division title in [[1975–76 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1976]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 28, 1975|title=Cavaliers Are Defensively Oriented For Playoff Spot|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/322003335/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927144013/http://www.newspapers.com/image/322003335/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1970-71 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1971.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023112653/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1971.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1971-72 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1972.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102002527/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1972.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1972-73 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1973.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031050629/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1973.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1973-74 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1974.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104035540/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1974.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1974-75 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1975.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106181328/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1975.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 13, 1976|title=Cavaliers Reach Lofty Plateau|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/398888764/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927144012/http://www.newspapers.com/image/398888764/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> The 1976 team was led by [[Austin Carr]], [[Bingo Smith|Bobby "Bingo" Smith]], [[Jim Chones]], [[Dick Snyder]], [[Nate Thurmond]] and head coach [[Bill Fitch]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 30, 1976|title=Chenier's scoring outburst overdue|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/155916196/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927144010/http://www.newspapers.com/image/155916196/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> It was remembered for the "[[Miracle at Richfield]]", in which the Cavaliers defeated the [[Washington Bullets]], 4–3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=April 30, 1976|title=First thought was to pass, says Snyder|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/155916174/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927144013/http://www.newspapers.com/image/155916174/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> They won Game 7, 87–85, on a shot by Snyder with four seconds to go.<ref name=":0" /> The Cavaliers moved on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time,<ref name=":0" /> but were without Chones after he broke his toe before the series opener.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 6, 1976|title=Cavs-Celts series looks like a parade of wounded|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/412281904/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927153532/http://www.newspapers.com/image/412281904/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> As a result, the Cavaliers went on to lose, 4–2, to the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pluto|first=Terry|date=March 3, 2016|title=Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate Miracle of Richfield -- close your eyes and you can still hear the cheers: Terry Pluto (video)|url=http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_cavaliers_celebrate.html|access-date=November 4, 2017|work=Cleveland.com|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012638/http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_cavaliers_celebrate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They made playoff appearances in the following two seasons before a six-year playoff drought.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 4, 1977|title=Kings Aid Cavaliers to Playoff Spot|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/16527173/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927153536/http://www.newspapers.com/image/16527173/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 13, 1978|title=Cavs rely on defense|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/147073408/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927153539/http://www.newspapers.com/image/147073408/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1978-79 NBA Season Summary|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1979.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014055415/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1979.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1979-80 NBA Season Summary|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804024957/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1980-81 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1981.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021084222/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1981.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=1981-82 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1982.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001144608/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1982.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1982-83 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1983.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120053132/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1983.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1983-84 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1984.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101104827/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1984.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:LeBron James 11092.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Cavaliers forward and Akron native [[LeBron James]], who was the first overall pick of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. A perennial [[NBA All-Star]] and a four-time [[NBA MVP]] winner, he led the team to its first NBA Finals in [[2007 NBA Finals|2007]] and their first championship in [[2016 NBA Finals|2016]].]]
The early 1980s were marked by [[Ted Stepien]]'s ownership. During Stepien's tenure, the Cavaliers made a practice of trading future draft picks for marginal veteran players.<ref name="nytimes2">{{cite web|date=September 15, 2007|title=Ted Stepien, N.B.A. Owner, Is Dead at 82|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/sports/basketball/15stepien.html|access-date=November 4, 2017|work=The New York Times|archive-date=March 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325055455/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/sports/basketball/15stepien.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His most notable deal sent a 1982 first-round pick to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in exchange for [[Don Ford]] and the 22nd overall pick in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 17, 1980|title=Big-time swaps|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/283043788/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927155732/http://www.newspapers.com/image/283043788/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> As a result of Stepien's dealings, the NBA introduced the "Stepien Rule", which prohibits teams from trading first-round draft picks in successive seasons.<ref name="nytimes2" /><ref name="thoughtco2">{{cite web|last=Zegers|first=Charlie|date=March 24, 2017|title=About the Ted Stepien Rule|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-ted-stepien-rule-325791|access-date=November 4, 2017|work=thoughtco.com|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005448/https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-ted-stepien-rule-325791|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cavaliers went 66–180, dropped to the bottom of the league in attendance and lost $15 million during Stepien's three years as the owner.<ref name="nytimes2" /> The Cavs went through six coaches during this span, including four during the 1981–82 season.<ref name="nytimes2" /> The team finished 15–67, and between March and November 1982, the team had a 24-game losing streak, which, at the time, was the [[List of National Basketball Association longest losing streaks|NBA's longest losing streak]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=1981-82 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1982.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001144608/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1982.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1981-82 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1982_games.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626105918/http://www.basketball-reference.com:80/teams/CLE/1982_games.html |archive-date=June 26, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1982-83 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1983_games.html|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927155842/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1983_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 6, 1982|title=Bird, Parish help keeps Celts undefeated|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/246146574/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927155728/http://www.newspapers.com/image/246146574/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 11, 1982|title=Warrior slump persists|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/63407626/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927155727/http://www.newspapers.com/image/63407626/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref> [[George Gund III|George]] and [[Gordon Gund]] purchased the Cavaliers from Stepien in 1983.<ref name="thoughtco2" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 8, 1982|title=Gund brothers end Stepien's reign|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/304356522/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927155729/http://www.newspapers.com/image/304356522/ |archive-date=September 27, 2021 }}</ref>

The Cavaliers made the playoffs 10 times between 1985 and 1998.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise Index|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185243/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1988–89 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1988–89]] seasons was the Cavaliers' best season to date, finishing the regular season at 57–25 with a team that included [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]], [[Mark Price]], [[Ron Harper]] and [[Larry Nance]], and head coach [[Lenny Wilkens]].<ref name=":22"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 19, 1989|title=NBA Standings, Box Scores, Leaders|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/641213409/|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185705/http://www.newspapers.com/image/641213409/ |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> They had their second 57-win season in [[1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers season|1991–92]] and reached the Eastern Conference Finals that year.<ref name=":22"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 24, 1992|title=Bulls hold on to defeat Cavaliers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/241956600|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930193345/http://www.newspapers.com/image/241956600/ |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> However, between 1999 and 2005, the Cavaliers failed to make a playoff appearance.<ref name=":22"/> The Cavaliers finished the [[2002–03 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2002–03 season]] 17–65, tied for the worst record in the NBA.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 17, 2003|title=Cleveland, Denver top LeBron lottery|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/296564671/|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185704/http://www.newspapers.com/image/296564671/ |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref>
[[File:Dan Gilbert Chairman of Quicken Loans and Majority Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers.jpg|right|thumb|175px|[[Dan Gilbert]], who has owned the Cavaliers since 2005, with the team winning the 2016 NBA Championship under his watch.]]
The Cavaliers had the No. 1 pick in the [[2003 NBA draft]], selecting future NBA MVP [[LeBron James]], a native of nearby [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 27, 2003|title=LeBron era begins|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/289304909/|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185706/http://www.newspapers.com/image/289304909/ |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> On January 3, 2005, the team was sold to businessman [[Dan Gilbert]] for $375 million,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bielik|first=Tim|date=April 14, 2021|title=Dan Gilbert acquires former owner Gordon Gund's minority share of Cleveland Cavaliers|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/04/dan-gilbert-acquires-remaining-minority-share-of-cleveland-cavaliers-from-former-owner-gordon-gund.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414212237/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/04/dan-gilbert-acquires-remaining-minority-share-of-cleveland-cavaliers-from-former-owner-gordon-gund.html |archive-date=April 14, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-04-sp-nbanotes4-story.html|title=Gund Gets $375 Million in Sale of the Cavaliers|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 4, 2005|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115045754/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-04-sp-nbanotes4-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_statement_050103.html|title=Dan Gilbert Confirms Contract Has Been Signed to Purchase Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team; Rights to Operate Gund Arena|work=[[NBA.com]]|date=January 3, 2005|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115052801/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_statement_050103.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the deal was finalized on March 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Gabriele|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_approval_050301.html|title=NBA Approves Purchase of Cleveland Cavaliers by Investor Group Led by Quicken Loans Founder Dan Gilbert|work=[[NBA.com]]|date=March 1, 2005|access-date=January 14, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115051257/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_approval_050301.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, the team also hired head coach [[Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)|Mike Brown]] and general manager [[Danny Ferry]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=pluto|first=terry|date=May 31, 2017|title=Mike Brown's strange trip to NBA Finals -- Pluto|url=https://www.cleveland.com/pluto/2017/05/mike_browns_long_strange_journ.html|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185705/https://www.cleveland.com/pluto/2017/05/mike_browns_long_strange_journ.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cavaliers built a team around James and [[Žydrūnas Ilgauskas]] by adding players such as [[Drew Gooden]], [[Larry Hughes]] and [[Anderson Varajao]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A look back at LeBron James' supporting casts through the years|url=https://ca.nba.com/news/history-of-lebron-james-teams-lakers-cavs-heat-ball-ingram-irving-love-wade-bosh/ct45cidpltir1cxdqwe2x8c79|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=NBA.com Canada {{!}} The official site of the NBA|date=October 18, 2018 |language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185705/https://ca.nba.com/news/history-of-lebron-james-teams-lakers-cavs-heat-ball-ingram-irving-love-wade-bosh/ct45cidpltir1cxdqwe2x8c79|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 14, 2006|title=Gooden signs three-year, $23M deal with Cavaliers|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2549112|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930192118/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2549112|url-status=live}}</ref> Under this new leadership, the Cavaliers made five straight playoffs from 2006 to 2010, advancing to at least the second round each time.<ref name=":22"/> The [[2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2006–07 Cavaliers]] advanced to the franchise's first [[2007 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], but were swept by the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 15, 2007|title=Basketball: San Antonio Spurs sweep Cleveland Cavaliers to claim a third NBA title in five years|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/15/ussport|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930190138/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/15/ussport|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Decade of Dominance: LeBron James' first Finals run in Cleveland {{!}} NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/decade-of-dominance-lebron-james-part-i-first-finals-run-cavs-2007|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=www.nba.com|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185703/https://www.nba.com/decade-of-dominance-lebron-james-part-i-first-finals-run-cavs-2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2008–09 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2008–09 Cavaliers]] won a franchise-record 66 games, including a franchise-best 39–2 record at home, but lost the Eastern Conference Finals to the [[Orlando Magic]].<ref name=":22"/> Despite the addition of four-time NBA champion [[Shaquille O'Neal]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|date=June 25, 2009|title=Cavs reportedly reach deal for Shaquille O'Neal|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2009/06/cavs_reportedly_reach_deal_for.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033100/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2009/06/cavs_reportedly_reach_deal_for.html |archive-date=November 9, 2020 }}</ref> the [[2009–10 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2009–10 Cavaliers]] were unable to return to the Eastern Conference Finals after losing to the [[Boston Celtics]] in the second round.<ref name=":22"/>

With the Cavaliers out of the playoffs, the focus turned to James' impending free agency.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Windhorst|first=Brian|date=July 1, 2010|title=The LeBron free agency: Breaking down how the NBA's MVP and the Cleveland Cavaliers got to this moment|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/06/the_lebron_free_agency_breakin.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|work=Plain Dealer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930190214/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2010/06/the_lebron_free_agency_breakin.html |archive-date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> On July 8, 2010, James announced in a nationally televised one-hour special titled ''[[The Decision (TV special)|The Decision]]'' that he would be signing with the [[Miami Heat]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Stableford|first=Dylan|date=July 8, 2010|title=ESPN's Disgraceful LeBron James 'Decision'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/espn-lebron-james-despicable-decision-19090/|access-date=November 4, 2017|work=TheWrap.com|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025809/https://www.thewrap.com/espn-lebron-james-despicable-decision-19090/|url-status=live}}</ref> The repercussions of this announcement left many in the city of Cleveland infuriated and feeling betrayed.<ref>{{Cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|last=Plain Dealer|date=July 9, 2010|title=GONE! LeBron James and 'The Decision'|url=https://www.cleveland.com/lebron/2010/07/gone_lebron_james_and_the_deci.html|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930190823/https://www.cleveland.com/lebron/2010/07/gone_lebron_james_and_the_deci.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After a 19–win season in [[2010–11 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2010–11]], the Cavaliers began a rebuild around [[Kyrie Irving]], whom they selected first overall in the [[2011 NBA draft]].<ref name=":22"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2011|title=Cavs take Irving at No. 1; Williams goes No. 2|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6698166|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=ESPN.com|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930192334/https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2011/news/story?id=6698166|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, James returned to the Cavaliers after four seasons in Miami. While the Heat had a 224–88 record during James' four-year tenure and won NBA titles in 2012 and 2013, the Cavaliers went 97–215 and missed the playoffs each season.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 11, 2014|title=LeBron to Cleveland: I'm coming home|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-lebron-james-cleveland-20140711-story.html|access-date=November 4, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116142150/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-lebron-james-cleveland-20140711-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Cavaliers made several moves to build a championship-contending team around James, most notably acquiring power forward [[Kevin Love]] from the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]], which created what many fans and media referred to as a "Big Three" with James, Love and Irving.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Golliver|first=Ben|title=Did Cavs, Sixers or Wolves score highest grade in Love deal?|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/08/23/kevin-love-trade-timberwolves-cavaliers-sixers-lebron-james-andrew-wiggins|access-date=September 30, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930191013/https://www.si.com/nba/2014/08/23/kevin-love-trade-timberwolves-cavaliers-sixers-lebron-james-andrew-wiggins|url-status=live}}</ref> The LeBron-led Cavaliers made four consecutive Finals appearances from [[2015 NBA Finals|2015]] to [[2018 NBA Finals|2018]] – all against the [[Golden State Warriors]] – winning in [[2016 NBA Finals|2016]].<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|date=June 20, 2016|title=Cavaliers Defeat Warriors to Win Their First N.B.A. Title|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-championship.html|access-date=September 30, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708211136/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/sports/basketball/golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-championship.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2016 NBA Championship marked the Cavaliers' first title in franchise history, as they became the first team to come back from a 3–1 deficit to win the Finals.<ref name=":3" /> It was also Cleveland's first championship in major professional sports since the [[1964 Cleveland Browns season|1964 Browns]], signaling the end of the so-called [[Cleveland sports curse]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haynes|first=Chris|date=June 20, 2016|title=The curse is over: Cavs win the NBA championship|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2016/06/nba_finals.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021111152/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2016/06/nba_finals.html |archive-date=October 21, 2020 }}</ref>

The Cavaliers' roster went through many changes in the [[2017–18 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2017–18 season]], most notably the trade of Irving to the [[Boston Celtics]] in exchange for [[Isaiah Thomas (basketball)|Isaiah Thomas]] and other assets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NBA trade deadline 2018: Cavs roster looks unrecognizable after blockbuster deals|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-trade-deadline-2018-cavs-roster-looks-unrecognizable-after-blockbuster-deals/|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=CBSSports.com|date=February 8, 2018 |language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930191016/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-trade-deadline-2018-cavs-roster-looks-unrecognizable-after-blockbuster-deals/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Isaiah Thomas reveals reaction to being traded from Boston Celtics to Cleveland Cavaliers|url=https://www.nba.com/news/isaiah-thomas-reveals-reaction-being-traded-boston-celtics-cleveland-cavaliers|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=www.nba.com|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930191018/https://www.nba.com/news/isaiah-thomas-reveals-reaction-being-traded-boston-celtics-cleveland-cavaliers|url-status=live}}</ref> Thomas was later traded to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] as part of a trade deadline overhaul that saw the Cavaliers add [[Jordan Clarkson]], [[Larry Nance Jr.]] (son of Cavs legend [[Larry Nance]]) and others.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Chavez|first=Chris|title=Cavaliers trade Isaiah Thomas to Lakers|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/02/08/isaiah-thomas-traded-los-angeles-lakers-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-deadline|access-date=September 30, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930191015/https://www.si.com/nba/2018/02/08/isaiah-thomas-traded-los-angeles-lakers-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-deadline|url-status=live}}</ref> The following offseason, James declined his player option to rejoin the team, instead signing with the Lakers.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Marc|last2=Cacciola|first2=Scott|date=July 2, 2018|title=LeBron James Joining Lakers on 4-Year $154 Million Deal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/sports/lebron-james-lakers.html|access-date=September 30, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042156/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/sports/lebron-james-lakers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following two seasons, the team recorded only 19 wins and failed to make the playoffs.<ref name=":22" />

In the first three seasons since James left the second time, the Cavaliers won a total of 60 games, missed the playoffs each season and had four different head coaches: [[Tyronn Lue]], [[Larry Drew]], [[John Beilein]] and by this time, [[J.B. Bickerstaff]], who was promoted to head coach for the 2020–21 season after he had been an assistant on Belien's staff the previous season.<ref name=":22" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 20, 2020|title=Who is J.B. Bickerstaff? Meet the Cleveland Cavaliers' new head coach|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/who-is-jb-bickerstaff-meet-the-cleveland-cavaliers-new-head-coach/95-395e2102-8ad8-4485-b79e-6152e8c22caf|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=wkyc.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 11, 2019|title=Cleveland Cavaliers part ways with head coach Larry Drew|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-part-ways-with-head-coach-larry-drew/95-f8f54cb0-bfd4-4fae-85eb-7573bbeaa697|access-date=September 30, 2021|website=wkyc.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[file:Donovan Mitchell Pregame.jpg|left|thumb|175px|[[Donovan Mitchell]], who was traded to the Cavaliers on September 1, 2022 and has been an All-Star in all three seasons he has played for the Cavs.]]
In the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]], the Cavs finished 44–38 and eighth in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for the [[NBA play-in tournament]], marking the first time the team played in the event. This also marks the team's first postseason basketball since 2017–18 and the first time a non-LeBron-led team qualified for postseason play since [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98]]. The team, however, did not make it out of the play-in tournament, losing the game to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] and then to the [[Atlanta Hawks]], ending their season.

On March 26, 2023, the Cavaliers clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs, making this the first time since [[2018 NBA playoffs|2018]] that the team entered the playoffs, with a 108–91 win over the [[Houston Rockets]]. This was also the first time since [[1998 NBA playoffs|1998]] that the team entered the playoffs without LeBron James.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fedor |first1=Chris |title=Cavs clinch playoff spot with dominant 108-91 win over Houston Rockets |url=https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/03/cavs-clinch-playoff-spot-with-dominant-108-91-win-over-houston-rockets.html |publisher=cleveland.com |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327003154/https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/03/cavs-clinch-playoff-spot-with-dominant-108-91-win-over-houston-rockets.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They wound up losing their first round playoff series to the [[New York Knicks]] four games to one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Knicks advance to second round, down Cavs 106-95 in Game 5 |url=https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-2023-cavaliers-knicks-jalen-brunson-941e604b9bf2569ffceda9a768039271 |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111165308/https://apnews.com/article/nba-playoffs-2023-cavaliers-knicks-jalen-brunson-941e604b9bf2569ffceda9a768039271 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 25, 2023, it was announced that [[defensive end]] [[Myles Garrett]] of the [[Cleveland Browns]] had purchased a minority ownership stake in the Cavaliers. Along with his ownership stake, Garrett would serve as an ambassador for the team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bielik |first1=Tim |title=Myles Garrett purchases minority ownership stake in the Cavs |url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/10/myles-garrett-purchases-minority-ownership-stake-in-the-cavaliers.html |website=Cleveland.com |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025225831/https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/10/myles-garrett-purchases-minority-ownership-stake-in-the-cavaliers.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The  Cavaliers qualified the 2024 NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, defeating the Orlando Magic 4–3 in the first round, but losing to the Boston Celtics 4–1 in the Conference semifinals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-16 |title=Cavaliers Season Comes To A Close In Game 5 Loss To Celtics |url=https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-season-comes-to-a-close-in-game-5-loss-to-boston-celtics |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Cavs Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Brooklyn Nets vs NY Knicks 2018-10-03 td 161b - 1st Quarter (cropped2).jpg|right|thumb|175px|Current head coach [[Kenny Atkinson]]]]
On November 6th, 2024 the Cavaliers beat their all-time franchise "season start" win-streak, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 131-122 for a season record of 9-0.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2024|title=Cleveland Cavaliers Set Incredible Franchise History In Latest Win|url=https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cleveland-cavaliers-set-incredible-franchise-history-in-latest-win|url-status=live|access-date=November 6, 2024|website=si.com|language=en|archive-url=https://www.si.com|archive-date=November 6, 2024 }}</ref> 

After a 128-114 win against the [[Charlotte Hornets]] on November 17, 2024, the Cavaliers achieved a 15-0 start, which is tied for the second-best start in franchise history, and the Cavaliers are the fourth team to achieve this milestone, after the 2015-2016 [[2015–16 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] team, the 1993-1994 [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] team, and the 1948-1949 [[1948–49 Washington Capitols season|Washington Capitols]] team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers become 4th team in NBA history to start season 15-0|url=https://www.nba.com/news/cavaliers-15-0-start-season-darius-garland|website=NBA.com|date=November 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cavaliers top Hornets, tie 2nd-best start to NBA season (15-0)|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42455250/cavaliers-beat-hornets-tie-second-best-start-season-nba-history|website=ESPN.com|date=November 17, 2024}}</ref> The 15-0 start is also the Cavaliers’ longest winning streak in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers Longest Winning Streaks - Regular Season |url=https://www.landofbasketball.com/teams/stats/winning_streaks_cavaliers.htm |website=LandofBasketball.com|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref> 

On November 19, 2024, the [[Boston Celtics]] ended the Cavaliers 15–0 start and 15 game winning streak when  they won 120–117, giving the Cavaliers their first loss of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics Snap Cleveland Cavaliers' Record-Setting Winning Streak|url=https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/boston-celtics-snap-cleveland-cavaliers-record-setting-winning-streak|website=si.com|date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics hand Cavaliers first loss of season, winning 120-117 to end Cleveland's 15-game win streak|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401703390|website=ESPN.com|date=November 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics Nov 19, 2024 Box Scores|website=[[NBA.com]] |url=https://www.nba.com/game/cle-vs-bos-0022400021/box-score}}</ref>

==Season-by-season record==
''List of the last five seasons completed by the Cavaliers. For the full season-by-season history, see [[List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons]].''

'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers}};"
| Season || GP || W || L || W–L% || Finish || Playoffs
|-
| [[2020–21 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2020–21]] || 72 || 22|| 50 || {{Winning percentage|22|50}} || 4th, Central || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2021–22 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2021–22]] || 82 || 44 || 38 || {{Winning percentage|44|38}} || 3rd, Central || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2022–23 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2022–23]] || 82 || 51 || 31 || {{Winning percentage|51|31}} || 2nd, Central || Lost in First Round, 4–1 ([[2022–23 New York Knicks season|Knicks]])
|-
| [[2023–24 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2023–24]] || 82 || 48 || 34 || {{Winning percentage|48|34}} || 2nd, Central || Lost in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 ([[2023–24 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]])
|-
| [[2024–25 Cleveland Cavaliers season|2024–25]] || 82 || 64 || 18 || {{Winning percentage|64|18}} || 1st, Central || Lost in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 ([[2024–25 Indiana Pacers season|Pacers]])
|}

==Rivalries==
{{Main|Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry|Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry}}

==Logos and uniforms==
===Original wine and mustard/metallic gold===
When the Cleveland Cavaliers debuted in the NBA in 1970, the team's original jersey colors were [[wine (color)|wine]] and gold. The first jerseys featured the feathered treatment of the letter "C" in "Cavaliers". In 1974, they changed into the classic block lettering and checkerboard pattern that was synonymous to the "Miracle of Richfield" team of 1976. In 1980, the gold shade was changed from yellowish to metallic, and the uniforms removed the checkerboard pattern and placed the stripes above "Cleveland" and below the uniform number, the only time the city name was featured in both home and away jerseys.

The original logo was that of a swashbuckling cavalier looking right with a sword pointing, surrounded by the team name and a basketball. A modernized swashbuckling cavalier logo was later used by the Cavaliers' [[NBA Development League]] affiliate, the [[Canton Charge]]. The gold checkerboard uniforms were used as throwbacks in the 2004–05 season to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the "Miracle of Richfield" team, while the gold "feathered C" uniforms were used again in the 2008–09 season as a buildup to the then-upcoming 40th season of the Cavaliers. The "Miracle of Richfield" gold uniforms were used again in the 2015–16 season on special "Hardwood Classic" nights to commemorate the Miracle of Richfield team's 40th-anniversary celebration.

===Blue and orange===
In the 1983–84 season, the colors were changed to burnt orange, blue and white. The first Cavaliers uniform under the new scheme featured the Cavaliers logo (with a "V" in the shape of a hoop and circle above as basketball) in an arched pattern and the player name sewn onto the back shoulder as a patch, with orange being the primary color in both the away and home uniforms. However, in the 1987–88 season, orange was relegated as a secondary color, and blue was used instead as the primary for the away and home uniforms; minor changes in the 1989–90 season include the city name on the blue away uniforms. The drop shadows were also removed. The orange version of the uniform was used again in the 2006–07 and 2016–17 seasons, as part of the respective 20th and 30th anniversaries of the 1986–87 team.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=cavs|author=Cleveland Cavaliers|number=807597097721757696|date=December 10, 2016|title=The squad turned back the clock and turned up the offense in last night's #ALLinORANGE win at The Q.}}</ref> The blue versions were worn in the 2009–10 season as part of the franchise's 40th anniversary and as a tribute to the 1988–89 team.

===Blue, black and orange===
Coinciding with the move to Gund Arena in the 1994–95 season, the Cavaliers changed logos and uniforms, adding black in addition to the already existing blue, orange and white colors. The uniforms feature a blue splash in the abdomen area in front. From 1994 to 1997, the word "CAVS" on the home uniforms was orange with black lines, while the numbers are in black with white lines; "CLEVELAND" on the road uniforms was also orange with black lines, while the numbers are in white with a black line. From 1997 to 1999, the numbers and lettering were slightly tweaked: The word "CAVS" and the numbers on the home uniforms were black with orange lines, while the word "CLEVELAND" and the numbers on the road uniforms were white with orange lines. In the latter iteration, the blue splash was moved from the right leg to the left leg, surrounding "CLEVELAND" on the home uniforms and "CAVS" on the road uniforms, with a minor change in striping.

In the 1999–2000 season, the Cavaliers opted to go for a cleaner look, eliminating the splash and adding an orange and blue line that runs through the shorts. The home jerseys feature the team nickname and the uniform numbers are in blue with black lines, while the away jerseys featured the city name and the uniform numbers in white with blue lines; these jerseys were used until the 2002–03 season. The logo used in this period was of a basketball on its way down a net, surrounded by a black square and the word "CAVS" in blue with black line below.

The 1994–1996 black uniforms were revived for the 2019–20 season as part of the Cavaliers' 50th season, as well as the 25th anniversary of the move to Gund Arena (now Rocket Arena).<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers To Debut Classic Edition Uniform, Two New Courts This Season|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2019-classic-jersey|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828171122/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2019-classic-jersey|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wine, metallic gold and navy===
The Cavaliers switched to a modified version of the team's classic wine-and-gold scheme in the 2003–04 season: metallic gold and a crimson shade of wine with navy blue added. The home uniform was white, with the word "Cavaliers" in wine lettering with gold trim on the front, the player's name in wine lettering with gold trim on the back, the player's numbers in navy blue, and wine-and-gold trim on the sides. The team's standard road uniform was wine-colored, with the word "Cleveland", the player's name and the player's numbers all in white lettering with gold trim, as well as white and gold trim on the sides. The team's alternate jersey was navy blue with the word "Cleveland", the player's name and the player's numbers all in white lettering with gold trim, as well as a wine, gold and navy blue checkerboard trim. The checkerboard trim was a tribute to the original Cavaliers uniforms from the 1970s. The logo used was a gold sword piercing through the words "Cleveland Cavaliers" in white and navy trim, with a wine basketball surrounding it.

===Wine, mustard gold and navy===
The Cavaliers debuted new uniforms before the start of the [[2010–11 NBA season]] to coincide with the team returning to the original shades of wine and gold used from 1970 to 1983.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cleveland Cavaliers Unveil New Uniforms for 2010-11 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/jersey_unveil_100817.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 17, 2010|access-date=June 1, 2015|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705221304/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/jersey_unveil_100817.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The home uniform is white with a wine-and-gold horizontal stripe trim on the collar, sleeves, waistband and pant legs, the word "CAVALIERS" (in block style lettering) in wine on the front of the jersey with wine lettering for the name and number, and white shoes and socks. The road uniform is wine-colored with the same stripe trim, "Cleveland" in gold on the front of the jersey, gold lettering on the name and number, and black shoes and socks. An alternate jersey – gold with "CAVS" in wine on the front of the jersey, wine lettering on the name and number, white socks and shoes, and the same stripe trim as the other uniforms<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavs Announce 2012-13 Promotional Schedule|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/promotional-schedule-120911.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006184913/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/promotional-schedule-120911.html|url-status=live}}</ref> – was added for the 2012–13 season. All uniforms have the team motto – "All for one. One for all." – stitched on the inside of the collar and the secondary "Sword C" logo on the side of the pant legs. The logo used is the same piercing sword logo, updated to the classic wine-and-gold scheme.

For the 2014–15 season, a second alternate jersey – and fourth uniform overall – was added, which is navy blue (a callback to the 1987–1994 style) with "CAVS" and the player's number in wine with gold trim, the player's name on the back of the jersey in gold and the "Sword C" logo on the side of the pant legs.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Wine & Gold Add Navy to Their Uniform Collection|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/navy-uniform-141006|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=October 9, 2014|access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516064254/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/navy-uniform-141006|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wine, mustard gold, navy and black===
[[File:Cavs 50 logo.png|thumb|150px|right|50th anniversary logo used during 2019–20 season]]
Two alternate jerseys were unveiled prior to the start of the 2015–16 season.<ref name="CavsAltUnis2015">{{cite news|title=Cavs Unveil Three New Alternate Uniforms for 2015-16 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases/jersey-announcement-151021|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 22, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811131525/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases/jersey-announcement-151021|url-status=live}}</ref> The second wine uniform is similar to their regular road jersey, except that it features the arched mid-1980s Cavs logo and white numerals in gold trim. A black sleeved uniform features the wine "C" logo in front and was famously worn in the title-clinching Game 7 of the [[2016 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/19/nba-finals-game-7-cavs-black-sleeved-jerseys-warriors|title=Cavs wearing sleeved jerseys in Game 7|date=June 19, 2016|work=SI.com|access-date=June 17, 2017|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128042530/https://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/19/nba-finals-game-7-cavs-black-sleeved-jerseys-warriors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2017/06/cavaliers_wearing_black_jersey.html|title=Cavaliers wearing black jerseys for Game 2: 2017 NBA Finals|last=Vardon|first=Joe|date=June 4, 2017|work=cleveland.com|access-date=June 17, 2017|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608105243/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2017/06/cavaliers_wearing_black_jersey.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Their logos for the 2017–18 season newly included the color black to commemorate the victory.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Logo Suite Evolves to Modernize Look|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/updated-logo-170531|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211000313/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/updated-logo-170531|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/look-cavs-unveil-new-logos-add-black-to-color-scheme-before-start-of-nba-finals/|title=LOOK: Cavs unveil new logos, add black to color scheme before start of NBA Finals|last=Boone|first=Kyle|date=June 1, 2017|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=June 17, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224122330/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/look-cavs-unveil-new-logos-add-black-to-color-scheme-before-start-of-nba-finals/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in the [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]], all NBA teams switched to [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]-designed white "Association" uniforms and "Icon" uniforms in the respective team's primary color. The Cavaliers' Icon uniforms were wine-colored with "Cleveland" across the front and the player's name in gold lettering with navy blue numerals both in the front and in the back. The white Association uniforms have "Cavs" across the front, with wine color letters and numbers both front and back. All teams have the choice of which uniform to wear for any home game. Also included on the Cavs' jerseys is a small [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] "Wingfoot" logo, as part of a sponsorship deal with the team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Unveil All New Nike Uniforms for the 2017-18 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features/nike-jerseys-170807|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=December 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210235214/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features/nike-jerseys-170807|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Keenan|first=Bretton|title=Cavs unveil new uniforms for the 2017-18 season|url=http://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-unveil-new-uniforms-for-the-2017-2018-season|work=News5Cleveland.com|publisher=[[WEWS-TV]]|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808040040/http://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-unveil-new-uniforms-for-the-2017-2018-season|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nike also provides a third, alternate uniform called the "Statement" uniform. The Cavaliers' Statement uniform is black with dark gray pinstripes, a wine-colored "C" trimmed in gold on the front, names in gold letters on the back, wine-colored/gold-trimmed numbers on the front and back, and gold-colored Nike and Goodyear logos on the front. In the same vein as the logo on their 2017–18 jerseys, the black jersey is a nod to the team's former black-sleeved jerseys that they wore when they won Game 7 of the 2016 Finals.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nike Introduces Cavaliers Statement Edition Uniform|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/statement-edition-uniform-170915|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230164830/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/statement-edition-uniform-170915|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wine, metallic gold and black===
[[file:New Cavs 2022 logo.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Cavaliers' "V-net" logo - a modified version of similar logos used in the 1980s and 1990s that the team began using in 2022.]]
For the [[2022–23 NBA season]], the Cavaliers unveiled an updated logo and color scheme, removing navy blue while reverting to the metallic gold first used from 1980 to 1983, and from 2003 to 2010. The "C-sword" alternate logo was retired, and an updated "V-net" logo, merging the styles of the 1983–1994 and 1994–2003 logos with the current typeface, was also unveiled.<ref name="CavsModernLogos" /><ref name="CavsBringBackGold" />

With the new logo, the team also introduced three coinciding new uniforms.

The white Association uniform features a wine-colored "V-net" logo trimmed in gold across the front, wine names and numbers trimmed in gold, and a wine primary "Cavs C" logo (outlined in gold) on left leg of the shorts.

The wine Icon uniform features "Cleveland" in gold lettering on the chest, gold names and numbers, and the "Cavs C" logo in wine with a gold outline on the left leg of the shorts.

The black Statement uniform – a nod to the black uniforms worn during the team's 2016 NBA championship run – displays a wine "Cavs C" logo outlined in gold on the front of the jersey, gold names and numbers, and a gold "V-net" logo on the left leg of the shorts.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Cavaliers Unveil Three All-New Uniforms for 2022-23 Season|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features-jersey-launch-220718|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Cavs.com|date=July 18, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144159/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features-jersey-launch-220718|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Cavs unveil 3 new uniforms for 2022-23 season|url=https://www.nba.com/news/cavs-unveil-3-new-uniforms-for-2022-23-season|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=July 18, 2022|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718172403/https://www.nba.com/news/cavs-unveil-3-new-uniforms-for-2022-23-season|url-status=live}}</ref>

===CavFanatic uniforms===
From the 2008–09 to the 2011–12 season, the Cavaliers wore special "mash-up" uniforms – combining the style from one era with the color scheme of another – on select "CavFanatic Nights".

*2008–09: The team wore the original "feathered C" uniforms, but with the 1994–2003 shade of blue combined with the classic wine-and-gold coloring.
*2009–10: The team wore their 1987–1989 uniforms, but in the classic wine and gold from the "Miracle of Richfield" era.
*2010–11: The team wore the 2005–10 checkerboard alternate uniforms, but in the 1994–2003 color scheme of blue, black and orange.
*2011–12: The team wore navy uniforms with wine-and-gold lettering; these were similar to the 2014–17 navy alternates, but with a different jersey and shorts striping.

==="City Edition" uniforms===
Nike also provides a fourth uniform known as the "City Edition", which honors the city of Cleveland as well as the state of Ohio:
* For the 2017–18 season, the "City Edition" uniform was gray with dark gray trim and had "The Land" (a popular Cleveland nickname) across the front of the jersey in white letters and trimmed in dark gray and gold (as is the number on the front of the jersey), with the player's name and number in white lettering on the back.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Cavaliers Unveil City Edition Uniform|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/city-edition-uniform-171227|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=December 27, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423021014/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/city-edition-uniform-171227|url-status=live}}</ref>
* For the 2018–19 season, the "City Edition" uniform was orange and blue (a nod to the popular Cavs teams of the 1980s) in a zigzag/slash pattern (reminiscent of the '90s-era uniforms) with white letters and numbers, and featured a script "Cleveland" across the front of the jersey. On the right pant leg, an outline of the [[Great Lakes]] (with [[Lake Erie]] highlighted) is featured with the slogan "1 OUT OF 5 GREATS." For the home games in which these uniforms were worn, the floor at Quicken Loans Arena was modified with an orange and blue design, as well.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hlavaty |first1=Kaylyn |title=People have very strong opinions about the Cavs' new City Edition uniforms |url=https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cavs-city-edition-uniforms |website=WEWS |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=November 8, 2018 |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420033114/https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cavs-city-edition-uniforms |url-status=live }}</ref> The same uniform design of the "City Edition" uniform was used for the team's "Earned Edition" uniform (exclusive to the 2018 NBA playoff teams), except the top part was white, while the bottom was powder blue and featured navy letters and numbers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Unveil Cleveland Earned Edition Uniform|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2018-earned-jersey|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=December 12, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-date=August 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829000139/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2018-earned-jersey|url-status=live}}</ref>
* For the 2019–20 season, the "City Edition" uniform was navy blue (a nod to the team's mid- to late-2000s alternate uniform) with "CLE" in gold letters (in the style of the team's original 1970 uniforms) and the numbers in gold with a wine inlay (in the style of the '90s uniforms), and wine, gold, white and black stripes down the sides.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hlavaty |first1=Kaylyn |title=Cleveland Cavaliers unveil City Edition uniform that pays homage to the team's 50 seasons |url=https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-unveil-city-edition-uniform-that-pays-homage-to-the-teams-50-seasons |website=WEWS |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122154708/https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/basketball/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-unveil-city-edition-uniform-that-pays-homage-to-the-teams-50-seasons |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, to commemorate the team's 50th anniversary season, Nike provided a fifth uniform known as the "Classic Edition", which was a modified version of the team's mid-'90s-era black, blue and orange uniforms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cavaliers To Debut Classic Edition Uniform, Two New Courts This Season |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2019-classic-jersey |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=August 28, 2019 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914022436/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/2019-classic-jersey |url-status=live }}</ref>
* For the 2020–21 season, the "City Edition" uniform was black with wine-and-gold trim around the neck and sleeves and white letters and numbers. "CLEVELAND" was featured on the front of the jersey, with each letter in a different font to represent both the Cavs and various artists and bands that have been inducted in the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], as well as various patches down the sides of the pant legs. The jersey design is in honor of a partnership between the Cavs and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who are collaborating on a "Cleveland Amplified" exhibit at the Rock Hall. The letters represent: "C" (Cleveland Cavaliers), "L" ([[Sex Pistols]]), "E" ([[The Who]]), "V" ([[David Bowie]]), "E" ([[Metallica]]), "L" ([[The Beatles]]), "A" ([[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]), "N" ([[N.W.A]]) and "D" ([[Pink Floyd]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers Unveil 2020-21 City Edition Uniform as an Ode to Cleveland's Rock and Roll Roots |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/city-uniform-201203 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 4, 2020 |date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203170238/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/city-uniform-201203 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=There's actually a hidden meaning behind the Cavaliers' ugly City Edition jerseys |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/11/cavaliers-city-jersey-rock-band-logos-letters-twitter-nba-nike |website=ForTheWin |access-date=January 22, 2021 |date=November 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117070747/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/11/cavaliers-city-jersey-rock-band-logos-letters-twitter-nba-nike |url-status=live }}</ref>
* For the 2021–22 season, the "City Edition" uniform was in the team's traditional wine color with gold letters and numbers; wine, gold and white trim around the sleeves and going down the pant legs; and a mix of the team's logos through its history all throughout the uniform. On the front of the jersey is the team's original 1970s "swashbuckler" logo, with the numbers in the style of the team's 1990s uniforms. On the pants, the team's 1980s logo is on the waistband, the '90s logo is on the left leg and the modern-era "C" logo is on the right leg.<ref>[https://fox8.com/sports/cleveland-cavaliers-city-uniform-gives-nod-to-playoff-runs-through-the-decades/ Cavs City Edition uniform gives nod to playoff runs through the decades - Fox 8.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101184626/https://fox8.com/sports/cleveland-cavaliers-city-uniform-gives-nod-to-playoff-runs-through-the-decades/ |date=November 1, 2021 }} ([[WJW-TV]])</ref>
* For the 2022–23 season, the "City Edition" uniform was white with tan lettering and numbers and accents of light blue, in honor of the [[Cleveland Metroparks]]. The jerseys read "The Land" across the chest, with a light blue circle featuring the Cavs' "C" logo placed between the "L" and "A," similar to how the "V" in the script Cavs logo is used as a basketball hoop.<ref>[https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-unveil-2022-23-city-edition-uniforms-clevland-metroparks/95-a00be304-def0-44c4-8528-febb4016e820 The Cleveland Cavaliers have unveiled their 2022-23 City Edition uniforms. - WKYC.com]</ref>
* For the 2023–24 season, the "City Edition" uniform was wine with gold letters and numbers and ornate gold trim around the sleeves in honor of Cleveland's [[Playhouse Square]] theater district. The jerseys read "The Land" across the chest in a font similar to that on a theater marquee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers City Edition uniforms |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/city |website=Cavs.com |publisher=Cavs staff |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102143308/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/city |url-status=live }}</ref>
* For the 2024–25 season, the "City Edition" uniforms are light blue with "The Land" in white letters on the front and white names and numbers on the back. Sketch drawings of the Cavs logo and Cleveland landmarks are featured going down the sides of the uniforms in honor of the [[Cleveland Museum of Art]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Our 2024‑25 City Edition Uniform |url=https://nba.com/cavaliers/videos/introducing-our-2024-25-city-edition-uniform |website=Cavs.com |publisher=Cleveland Cavaliers |access-date=November 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Home arenas==
[[File:Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics (37559832030).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Scene of the 2017–18 season opener in then Quicken Loans Arena]]
* [[Cleveland Arena]] (1970–1974)
* [[Richfield Coliseum|Coliseum at Richfield]] (1974–1994)
* [[Rocket Arena]] (1994–present)

==Cleveland Clinic Courts==
Cleveland Clinic Courts, the team's practice facility and team headquarters, is located in suburban [[Independence, Ohio|Independence]]. The {{convert|50000|sqft|adj=on}} building opened in 2007 and includes two full-size basketball courts, a weight room, a team room, offices, medical facilities, and kitchen and dining facilities. Naming rights are held by the [[Cleveland Clinic]], which is the team's official healthcare partner. Prior to the opening of Cleveland Clinic Courts, the team used the practice court located on the club level of [[Rocket Arena]].<ref>{{cite news|title="Cleveland Clinic Courts" Design Unveiled|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/practice_facility_060817.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 17, 2006|access-date=August 29, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009141529/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/practice_facility_060817.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cleveland Cavaliers open new practice facility |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/09/cleveland_cavaliers_open_new_p.html |author=Kroll, John |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=September 19, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012054052/http://blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/09/cleveland_cavaliers_open_new_p.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Clinic Courts |url=http://www.aecom.com/projects/cleveland-clinic-courts/ |work=AECOM Projects: Sports & Venues |publisher=[[AECOM]] |year=2016 |access-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911144727/http://www.aecom.com/projects/cleveland-clinic-courts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In honor of the Cavs winning the NBA Championship, the city of Independence renamed the section of Brecksville Road leading to the team's practice facility "Cavaliers Way" in November 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox8.com/2016/11/18/independence-to-rename-part-of-brecksville-road-in-honor-of-cavs|title=Independence to rename part of Brecksville Road in honor of Cavs|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=November 20, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120085118/http://fox8.com/2016/11/18/independence-to-rename-part-of-brecksville-road-in-honor-of-cavs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personnel==
{{Further|Cleveland Cavaliers all-time roster}}

===Current roster===
{{Cleveland Cavaliers roster}}

===Retained draft rights===
The Cavaliers hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player – either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him – is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm|title=NBA Salary Cap FAQ – 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement|quote=If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player's draft rights for one year after the player's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA.|first=Larry|last=Coon|author-link=Larry Coon|access-date=April 13, 2014|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527075033/http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|-
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Draft
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Round
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Pick
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Pos.
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Nationality
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Current team
! style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Note(s)
! class="unsortable" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[2022 NBA draft|2022]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 39
| {{sortname|Khalifa|Diop}}
| style="text-align:center;"| C
| {{flagu|Senegal}}
| [[Saski Baskonia]] ([[Liga ACB|Spain]])
|
|style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|first=Marla|last=Ridenour|title='Step by step': Cleveland Cavaliers draftee Khalifa Diop dreams of being an NBA All-Star|url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/cavs/2022/06/25/cleveland-cavaliers-khalifa-diop-senegal-spanish-league-desagana-diop-nba-all-star-nba-draft/7723009001/|website=AkronBeaconJournal.com|date=June 25, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629210250/https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/cavs/2022/06/25/cleveland-cavaliers-khalifa-diop-senegal-spanish-league-desagana-diop-nba-all-star-nba-draft/7723009001/|archive-date=June 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[2015 NBA draft|2015]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 47
| {{sortname|Artūras|Gudaitis}}
| style="text-align:center;"| F/C
| {{flagu|Lithuania}}
| [[Alvark Tokyo]] ([[B.League|Japan]])
| Acquired from the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] (via [[Sacramento Kings|Sacramento]])
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Acquire George Hill and Rodney Hood in Three-Team Trade|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/rhood-ghill-trade-180208|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=February 8, 2018|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212155552/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/rhood-ghill-trade-180208|archive-date=February 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[2011 NBA draft|2011]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 56
| {{sortname|Chukwudiebere|Maduabum}}
| style="text-align:center;"| F/C
| {{flagu|Nigeria}}
| [[Veertien Mie Basketball|Veertien Mie]] ([[B.League|Japan]])
| Acquired from the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] (via [[Denver Nuggets|Denver]] and [[Philadelphia 76ers|Philadelphia]])
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavaliers Complete Trade with Philadelphia 76ers|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/cavs_draft_results_110624.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=July 15, 2016|access-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211130023/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/cavs_draft_results_110624.html|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

===Cavs Legends===
The following is a list of past Cavaliers players and other personnel who have been honored as "Cavs Legends" – either by retiring their number or having commemorative banners placed in the rafters at Rocket Arena.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Valade|first1=Jodie|title=Semih Erden thinks, and that's the reason he struggles: Cleveland Cavaliers Insider|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/04/semih_erden_thinks_and_thats_t.html|website=cleveland.com|access-date=April 24, 2017|date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801102711/http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/04/semih_erden_thinks_and_thats_t.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Pluto|first1=Terry|title=Cleveland Cavaliers honor a legend in broadcaster Joe Tait: Terry Pluto|url=http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/04/post_39.html|website=cleveland.com|access-date=April 24, 2017|date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801102713/http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/04/post_39.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Popovich|first1=Mike|title=Cavaliers honor longtime radio voice Joe Tait|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/x1700910388/Cavaliers-honor-longtime-radio-voice-Joe-Tait|website=TimesReporter.com|access-date=April 24, 2017|date=April 9, 2011|archive-date=April 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425025859/http://www.timesreporter.com/x1700910388/Cavaliers-honor-longtime-radio-voice-Joe-Tait|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Retired numbers
|-
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|No.
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Name
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Tenure
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Date
|-
| '''7''' || [[Bingo Smith|Bobby "Bingo" Smith]] || [[swingman|G/F]] || 1970–1979 || December 4, 1979
|-
| '''11''' || [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1996–2010 || March 8, 2014<ref>{{cite news|title=Cavs Announce Zydrunas Ilgauskas' Jersey (#11) to be Retired|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/cavs-announce-zydrunas-ilgauskas-jersey-11-be-retired|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122061928/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/cavs-announce-zydrunas-ilgauskas-jersey-11-be-retired|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| '''22''' || [[Larry Nance]] || [[Forward (basketball)|F/C]] || 1988–1994 || January 30, 1995
|-
| '''25''' || [[Mark Price]] || [[Guard (basketball)|G]] || 1986–1995 || November 13, 1999
|-
| '''34''' || [[Austin Carr]] || [[Guard (basketball)|G]] || 1971–1980 || January 3, 1981
|-
| '''42''' || [[Nate Thurmond]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1975–1977 || December 18, 1977
|-
| '''43''' || [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1986–1996 || March 1, 1997
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Other honored personnel
|-
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Insignia
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Name
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Role
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Tenure
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Date
|-
| [[File:Exquisite-microphone.png|40px]] || [[Joe Tait]] || Broadcaster || 1970–1981; 1983–2011 || April 8, 2011
|-
| [[File:Bowtie paisley red.jpg|40px]] || Nick Gilbert || Late son of Cavs owner [[Dan Gilbert]] || || March 3, 2024
|}

* The NBA retired [[Bill Russell]]'s No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA |url=https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |website=NBA.com |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=August 11, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817080803/https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Golliver |first1=Ben |title=NBA permanently retires Bill Russell's No. 6 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=August 11, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107143239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Wall of Honor===
In 2019, the Cavaliers introduced the Wall of Honor, which honors former players and other personnel, and is located in the newly added North Atrium of the renovated Rocket Arena.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inaugural Wall of Honor Class Inducted |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/woh-celebration-191117 |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=November 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118005247/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/woh-celebration-191117 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Cleveland Cavaliers Wall of Honor
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Players
|-
! No. || Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
|'''32''' || [[John Johnson (basketball, born 1947)|John Johnson]] || [[Small forward|SF]] || 1970–1973 || 2019
|-
|'''18''' || [[John "Hot Rod" Williams|John Williams]] ||[[Power forward|PF]] / [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1986–1995 || 2019
|-
|'''21''' || [[World B. Free]] || [[Shooting guard|SG]] || 1982–1986 || 2022
|-
|'''4'''<br />'''20'''<br />'''21''' || [[Campy Russell]] || [[Small forward|SF]] || 1974–1980<br />1984 || 2022
|-
|'''1'''<br />'''11''' || [[Terrell Brandon]] || [[Point guard|PG]] || 1991–1997 || 2024
|-
|'''30''' ||[[Mike Mitchell (basketball, born 1956)|Mike Mitchell]] || [[Small forward|SF]] || 1978–1981 || 2024
|-
|'''22''' || [[Jim Chones]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1974–1979 || 2024
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Staff
|-
! colspan="2"|Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Nick Mileti]] || Founder<br />Owner || 1970–1980 || 2019
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Bill Fitch]] || Head coach || 1970–1979 || 2019
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Wayne Embry]] || General manager || 1986–1999 || 2019
|-  
| colspan="2"|[[Gordon Gund]] || Owner || 1984–2005 || 2022
|-
|'''19''' || [[Lenny Wilkens]] || Head coach || 1986–1993 || 2022
|-
| colspan="2"| Chuck Broski || Stats crew chief || 1970–present || 2024
|}

Note - All personnel who have had their numbers retired or have a similar banner in the rafters are also inducted into the Wall of Honor

===Basketball Hall of Famers===
The following is a list of players and other personnel who have spent at least part of their careers with the Cavaliers that have been inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Cleveland Cavaliers Hall of Famers
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Players
|-
! No. || Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| '''42''' || [[Nate Thurmond]] || [[Power forward (basketball)|F]]/[[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1975–1977 || 1985
|-
| '''11''' || [[Walt Frazier]] || [[Point guard|G]] || 1977–1979 || 1987
|-
| '''19''' || [[Lenny Wilkens]] <sup>1</sup> || [[Point guard|G]] || 1972–1974 || 1989
|-
| '''33''' || [[Shaquille O'Neal]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 2009–2010 || 2016
|-
| '''4''' || [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]] || [[Power forward (basketball)|F]]/[[Center (basketball)|C]] || 2008–2009 || 2021
|-
| '''9''' || [[Dwyane Wade]] <sup>4</sup> || [[Shooting guard|G]] || 2017–2018 || 2023
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Coaches
|-
! colspan="2"|Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Chuck Daly]] <sup>2</sup> || Head coach || 1981–1982 || 1994
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Lenny Wilkens]] <sup>1</sup> || Head coach || 1986–1993 || 1998
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Bill Fitch]] || Head coach || 1970–1979 || 2019
|-
| colspan="2"|[[George Karl]] || Head coach || 1984–1986 || 2022
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Contributors
|-
! colspan="2"|Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Wayne Embry]] <sup>3</sup> || General manager || 1986–1999 || 1999
|}
'''Notes:'''
* <sup>1</sup> In total, Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times – as player, as coach and as a member of the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|1992 Olympic team]].
* <sup>2</sup> In total, Daly was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as a coach and as a member of the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|1992 Olympic team]].
* <sup>3</sup> Inducted as contributor for being the first [[African American]] to manage a team in the NBA.
* <sup>4</sup> In total, Wade was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as a player and as a member of the [[2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2008 Olympic team]].

===Curt Gowdy Award winners===
[[File:Joe Tait crop.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Former longtime Cavs broadcaster [[Joe Tait]], who won the [[Curt Gowdy Award]] in 2010.]]
* [[Joe Tait]] – 2010 (team announcer 1970–1981; 1983–2011)

===FIBA Hall of Famers===
{{see also|FIBA Hall of Fame}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Cleveland Cavaliers Hall of Famers
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Players
|-
! No. || Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| '''33''' || [[Shaquille O'Neal]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 2009–2010 || 2017
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Coaches
|-
! colspan="2"|Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Chuck Daly]] <sup>1</sup> || Head coach || 1981–1982 || 2021
|}
'''Notes:'''
* <sup>1</sup> In total, Daly was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame twice – as coach and as a member of the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|1992 Olympic team]].

==Individual records and accomplishments==

===Franchise leaders===
'''Bold''' denotes still active with team. ''Italic'' denotes still active but not with team.

'''Points scored (regular season – as of the [[2024–25 NBA season]])'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers Team Info and News {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/team/1610612739/cavaliers/ |access-date=February 13, 2024 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference1">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/leaders_career.html |title=Cleveland Cavaliers Career Leaders |publisher=Basketball Reference |date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231020552/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/leaders_career.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Div col}}
# ''[[LeBron James]]'' (23,119)
# [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] (10,616)
# [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] (10,389)
# [[Austin Carr]] (10,265)
# [[Mark Price]] (9,543)
# [[Bingo Smith]] (9,513)
# [[Hot Rod Williams]] (8,504)
# ''[[Kyrie Irving]]'' (8,232)
# [[Larry Nance]] (7,257)
# '''[[Darius Garland]]''' (7,204)
# ''[[Kevin Love]]'' (7,230)
# [[Campy Russell]] (6,588)
# [[World B. Free]] (6,329)
# '''[[Tristan Thompson]]''' (6,069)
# [[Terrell Brandon]] (5,793)
# [[Jim Chones]] (5,729)
# [[Danny Ferry]] (5,643)
# [[Mike Mitchell (basketball, born 1956)|Mike Mitchell]] (5,217)
# [[Craig Ehlo]] (5,103)
# '''[[Donovan Mitchell]]''' (5,086){{Div col end}}

'''Other statistics (regular season) (as of the [[2024–25 NBA season]])'''<ref name="basketball-reference1"/>
{{columns-start|num=3}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most minutes played
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Minutes
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 33,130
|-
| [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] || 21,820
|-
| [[Hot Rod Williams]] || 20,802
|-
| [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] || 20,029
|-
| [[Bingo Smith]] || 19,221
|-
| [[Austin Carr]] || 19,003
|-
| '''[[Tristan Thompson]]''' || 18,249
|-
| [[Mark Price]] || 18,127
|-
| [[Danny Ferry]] || 15,045
|-
| [[Larry Nance]] || 14,966
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most rebounds
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Rebounds
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 6,190
|-
| [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] || 5,904
|-
| '''[[Tristan Thompson]]''' || 5,701
|-
| [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] || 5,227
|-
| [[Hot Rod Williams]] || 4,669
|-
| ''[[Kevin Love]]'' || 4,493
|-
| [[Anderson Varejão]] || 4,454
|-
| [[Jim Chones]] || 3,790
|-
| [[Larry Nance]] || 3,561
|-
| [[Jim Brewer (basketball)|Jim Brewer]] || 3,551
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most assists
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Assists
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 6,228
|-
| [[Mark Price]] || 4,206
|-
| '''[[Darius Garland]]''' || 2,558
|-
| [[John Bagley (basketball)|John Bagley]] || 2,311
|-
| [[Terrell Brandon]] || 2,235
|-
| [[Foots Walker]] || 2,115
|-
| ''[[Kyrie Irving]]'' || 2,114
|-
| [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] || 2,028
|-
| [[Andre Miller]] || 2,015
|-
| [[Austin Carr]] || 1,820
|}
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start|num=3}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most steals
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Steals
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 1,376
|-
| [[Mark Price]] || 734
|-
| [[Foots Walker]] || 722
|-
| [[Craig Ehlo]] || 661
|-
| [[Terrell Brandon]] || 621
|-
| [[Hot Rod Williams]] || 587
|-
| [[Ron Harper]] || 530
|-
| [[Anderson Varejão]] || 529
|-
| ''[[Kyrie Irving]]'' || 504
|-
| [[John Bagley (basketball)|John Bagley]] || 474
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most blocks
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Blocks
|-
| [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] || 1,269
|-
| [[Hot Rod Williams]] || 1,200
|-
| [[Larry Nance]] || 1,087
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 695
|-
| '''[[Tristan Thompson]]''' || 472
|-
| [[Jim Chones]] || 450
|-
| [[Roy Hinson]] || 430
|-
| '''[[Evan Mobley]]''' || 419
|-
| [[Anderson Varejão]] || 399
|-
| [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] || 397
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Most three-pointers made
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Cleveland Cavaliers|border=2}};"|3-pointers made
|-
| ''[[LeBron James]]'' || 1,251
|-
| ''[[Kevin Love]]'' || 1,096
|-
| '''[[Darius Garland]]''' || 897
|-
| [[Mark Price]] || 802
|-
| ''[[Kyrie Irving]]'' || 723
|-
| '''[[Donovan Mitchell]]''' || 660
|-
| ''[[Cedi Osman]]'' || 628
|-
| [[J. R. Smith]] || 585
|-
| [[Daniel Gibson]] || 578
|-
| [[Wesley Person]] || 550

|}
{{columns-end}}

===Individual awards===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''[[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2009, 2010

'''[[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|NBA Rookie of the Year]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2004
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2012

'''[[NBA Defensive Player of the Year]]'''
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2025

'''[[NBA Coach of the Year Award|NBA Coach of the Year]]'''
* [[Bill Fitch]]&nbsp;– 1976
* [[Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)|Mike Brown]]&nbsp;– 2009
* [[Kenny Atkinson]]&nbsp;– 2025

'''[[NBA Executive of the Year Award|NBA Executive of the Year]]'''
* [[Wayne Embry]]&nbsp;– 1992, 1998

'''[[NBA Sportsmanship Award]]'''
* [[Terrell Brandon]]&nbsp;– 1997

'''[[J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award]]'''
* [[Austin Carr]]&nbsp;– 1980
* [[Eric Snow]]&nbsp;– 2005
* [[Luol Deng]]&nbsp;– 2014
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2017

'''[[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals Most Valuable Player]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2016
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
'''[[NBA All-Rookie First Team]]'''
* [[Austin Carr]]&nbsp;– 1972
* [[Dwight Davis (basketball)|Dwight Davis]]&nbsp;– 1973
* [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]]&nbsp;– 1987
* [[Ron Harper]]&nbsp;– 1987
* [[John "Hot Rod" Williams|John Williams]]&nbsp;– 1987
* [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Brevin Knight]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Andre Miller]]&nbsp;– 2000
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2004
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2012
* [[Dion Waiters]]&nbsp;– 2013
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2022

'''[[NBA All-Rookie Second Team]]'''
* [[Terrell Brandon]]&nbsp;– 1992
* [[Derek Anderson (basketball)|Derek Anderson]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Cedric Henderson (basketball, born 1975)|Cedric Henderson]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Chris Mihm]]&nbsp;– 2001
* [[Carlos Boozer]]&nbsp;– 2003
* [[Tristan Thompson]]&nbsp;– 2012
* [[Tyler Zeller]]&nbsp;– 2013
* [[Collin Sexton]]&nbsp;– 2019
* [[Isaac Okoro]]&nbsp;– 2021
{{col-break|gap=1em}}

'''[[All-NBA First Team]]'''
* [[Mark Price]]&nbsp;– 1993
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

'''[[All-NBA Second Team]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2005, 2007
* [[Donovan Mitchell]]&nbsp;– 2023

'''[[All-NBA Third Team]]'''
* [[Mark Price]]&nbsp;– 1989, 1992, 1994
* [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]]&nbsp;– 1992
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2015

'''[[NBA All-Defensive First Team]]'''
* [[Larry Nance]]&nbsp;– 1989
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2009, 2010
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2023

'''[[NBA All-Defensive Second Team]]'''
* [[Jim Brewer (basketball)|Jim Brewer]]&nbsp;– 1976, 1977
* [[Jim Cleamons]]&nbsp;– 1976
* [[Larry Nance]]&nbsp;– 1992, 1993
* [[Bobby Phills]]&nbsp;– 1996
* [[Anderson Varejão]]&nbsp;– 2010
{{col-end}}

===NBA All-Star Weekend===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''[[NBA All-Star Game]]'''
* [[John Johnson (basketball, born 1947)|John Johnson]]&nbsp;– 1971, 1972
* [[Butch Beard]]&nbsp;– 1972
* [[Austin Carr]]&nbsp;– 1974
* [[Campy Russell]]&nbsp;– 1979
* [[Mike Mitchell (NBA)|Mike Mitchell]]&nbsp;– 1981
* [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]]&nbsp;– 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
* [[Larry Nance]]&nbsp;– 1989, 1993
* [[Mark Price]]&nbsp;– 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994
* [[Tyrone Hill]]&nbsp;– 1995
* [[Terrell Brandon]]&nbsp;– 1996, 1997
* [[Shawn Kemp]]&nbsp;– 1998*
* [[Žydrūnas Ilgauskas]]&nbsp;– 2003, 2005
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2005*, 2006*, 2007*, 2008*, 2009*, 2010*, 2015*, 2016*, 2017*, 2018*
* [[Maurice Williams (basketball)|Mo Williams]]&nbsp;– 2009
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2013, 2014*, 2015, 2017*
* [[Kevin Love]]&nbsp;– 2017, 2018
* [[Jarrett Allen]]&nbsp;– 2022
* [[Darius Garland]]&nbsp;– 2022, 2025
* [[Donovan Mitchell]]&nbsp;– 2023*, 2024, 2025*
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2025

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Starter

'''[[List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches|NBA All-Star Game head coaches]]'''
* [[Lenny Wilkens]]&nbsp;– 1989
* [[Mike Brown (basketball, born 1970)|Mike Brown]]&nbsp;– 2009 
* [[Tyronn Lue]]&nbsp;– 2016
* [[Kenny Atkinson]]&nbsp;– 2025
* Jordan Ott&nbsp;– 2025

'''[[NBA All Star MVP|NBA All-Star Game MVP]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2006, 2008, 2018
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2014

'''[[Three-point Shootout]]'''
* [[Mark Price]]&nbsp;– 1988 (5th), 1990 (7th), '''1993 (1st)''', '''1994 (1st)''', 1995 (3rd)
* [[Craig Ehlo]]&nbsp;– 1990 (5th), 1992 (6th)
* [[Wesley Person]]&nbsp;– 2002 (2nd)
* [[Damon Jones]]&nbsp;– 2007 (5th)
* [[Daniel Gibson]]&nbsp;– 2008 (2nd), 2011 (5th)
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– '''2013 (1st)''', 2014 (4th), 2015 (2nd), 2017 (2nd)
* [[Donovan Mitchell]]&nbsp;– 2024 (7th)
* [[Darius Garland]]&nbsp;– 2025 (3rd)

{{col-break|gap=1em}}
'''[[Slam Dunk Contest]]'''
* [[Roy Hinson]]&nbsp;– 1986 (7th)
* [[Ron Harper]]&nbsp;– 1987 (5th), 1989 (7th)
* [[Bob Sura]]&nbsp;– 1997 (5th)
* [[Larry Nance Jr.]]&nbsp;– 2018 (2nd)

'''[[NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge|Skills Challenge]]'''
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2006 (2nd), 2007 (3rd)
* [[Mo Williams]]&nbsp;– 2009 (3rd)
* [[Kyrie Irving]]&nbsp;– 2012 (7th)
* [[Jarrett Allen]]&nbsp;– 2022 (1st)
* [[Darius Garland]]&nbsp;– 2022 (1st)
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2022 (1st), 2025 (1st)
* [[Donovan Mitchell]]&nbsp;– 2025 (1st)

'''[[Rising Stars Challenge|Rookie/Rising Stars Challenge]]'''
* [[Chris Mills (basketball)|Chris Mills]]&nbsp;– 1994
* [[Bob Sura]]&nbsp;– 1996
* [[Vitaly Potapenko]]&nbsp;– 1997
* [[Žydrūnas Ilgauskas]]&nbsp;– 1998 
* [[Brevin Knight]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Cedric Henderson (basketball, born 1975)|Cedric Henderson]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Derek Anderson (basketball)|Derek Anderson]]&nbsp;– 1998 (DNP)
* [[Andre Miller]]&nbsp;– 2000 (rookie), 2001 (sophomore)
* [[Chris Mihm]]&nbsp;– 2002 (sophomore)
* [[Carlos Boozer]]&nbsp;– 2003 (rookie), 2004 (sophomore)
* [[Dajuan Wagner]]&nbsp;– 2003 (rookie)
* [[LeBron James]]&nbsp;– 2004 (rookie), 2005 (sophomore)
* [[Daniel Gibson]]&nbsp;– 2008 (sophomore)
* [[Kyrie Irving]] &nbsp;– 2012 (rookie), 2013 (sophomore)
* [[Tristan Thompson]]&nbsp;– 2012 (rookie), 2013 (sophomore)
* [[Dion Waiters]]&nbsp;– 2013 (rookie), 2014 (sophomore)
* [[Tyler Zeller]]&nbsp;– 2013 (rookie)
* [[Matthew Dellavedova]]&nbsp;– 2015 (World)
* [[Cedi Osman]]&nbsp;– 2018 (World)
* [[Collin Sexton]]&nbsp;– 2020 (sophomore)
* [[Evan Mobley]]&nbsp;– 2022 (rookie)
* [[Isaac Okoro]]&nbsp;– 2022 (sophomore)
* [[Emoni Bates]]&nbsp;– 2024 (rookie)

'''[[Rising Stars Challenge|Rookie/Rising Stars Challenge MVP]]'''
* [[Žydrūnas Ilgauskas]]&nbsp;– 1998
* [[Daniel Gibson]]&nbsp;– 2008 (sophomore)
* [[Kyrie Irving]] &nbsp;– 2012 (rookie)

'''Two Ball Contest'''
* [[Wesley Person]] with [[Michelle Edwards (basketball)|Michelle Edwards]]&nbsp;– 1998 (7th)
* [[Trajan Langdon]] with [[Eva Nemcova]]&nbsp;– 2001 (2nd)
{{col-end}}

==Head coaches==
{{Main|List of Cleveland Cavaliers head coaches}}

==Media==
{{Main|List of Cleveland Cavaliers broadcasters}}
[[File:Austin Carr (28061481448) c.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Former Cavs All-Star guard and longtime TV analyst [[Austin Carr]]]]

'''Radio'''

[[WTAM]] (1100 AM/106.9 FM) and [[WMMS]] (100.7 FM) currently serve as the flagship stations for the [[Cavaliers AudioVerse]].<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Erika Lauren]]|date=October 2, 2014|title=Announcement tweet|url=https://twitter.com/erikalauren/status/517769610737618944|work=Twitter.com: User @erikalauren|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=October 2, 2014|quote=Announcement: @wmms and @wtam are now the official home of the @cavs – tune in to hear all the games during this exciting season! WOOT!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002203547/https://twitter.com/erikalauren/status/517769610737618944|archive-date=October 2, 2014}}</ref> Tim Alcorn (play by play) and former Cavaliers star [[Jim Chones]] (analyst) are the radio team, with WTAM morning co-host/sports director Mike Snyder hosting the pregame/halftime/postgame shows. Former [[Ohio State]] standout and NBA player [[Brad Sellers]] joins Snyder for the postgame show.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Michael to Join Cavs TV Broadcast, Tim Alcorn to Join Radio Broadcast |url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/john-michael-tim-alcorn-broadcast-190923 |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=September 23, 2019 |archive-date=September 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923170457/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/john-michael-tim-alcorn-broadcast-190923 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Select [[Spanish language]] games will air online, with Rafael Hernandez Brito calling the games.<ref>{{cite web |title=BROADCAST INFO |url=https://nba.com/cavaliers/broadcast |website=Cavs.com |publisher=Cleveland Cavaliers |access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref>

'''TV'''

Cavaliers games air on [[FanDuel Sports Network Ohio]], with select simulcasts on [[WUAB]] channel 43 and [[WTCL-LD]]/[[WOHZ-CD]]/W28FG-D ([[Rock Entertainment Sports Network]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleveland Cavaliers to air select games on Rock Entertainment Sports Network, WUAB CW43 |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/01/21/cleveland-cavaliers-air-select-games-rock-entertainment-sports-network-wuab-cw43/ |website=Cleveland19.com |date=January 21, 2025 |publisher=WOIO/WUAB |access-date=January 21, 2025}}</ref> The broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer [[John Michael (broadcaster)|John Michael]], sideline reporter Serena Winters, and former Cavalier players [[Austin Carr]] and [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]] alternating as analysts. 

Cayleigh Griffin and former Cavaliers guard [[Daniel Gibson|Daniel "Boobie" Gibson]] host the pregame/halftime/postgame shows when Carr is serving as game analyst. When Daugherty serves as game analyst, Carr takes Gibson's place on the pregame/halftime/postgame shows.

==Mascots==
[[File:Cleveland Cavaliers masocts.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Current mascots Sir C.C. (left) and Moondog (right)]]
[[File:WhammerCavaliers.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Mid 1990s/early 2000s-era mascot Whammer]]

===Current===
The Cavaliers have two official mascots: Moondog and Sir C.C. The former was inspired by [[Cleveland]] radio DJ [[Alan Freed]], who popularized the phrase "rock and roll" and had called himself "[[Alan Freed#WJW Cleveland|Moondog]]". Moondog was an NBA All-Star selection in 2003 and 2004, and he made his first appearance on November 5, 2003. Sir C.C., a [[swashbuckler]] character, debuted during a game on November 27, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moondog|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/game-entertainment/cavaliers-mascot-moondog|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=July 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707153624/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/game-entertainment/cavaliers-mascot-moondog|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Past===
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the Cavs had a polar bear mascot named Whammer, who was introduced on November 9, 1995. He still makes occasional appearances throughout the season at Cavaliers games.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Cleveland Cavaliers}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Cleveland Cavaliers}}
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