10 Basketball Players who Played for Heat and Cavaliers
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Heat and the Cavaliers.
LeBron James
LeBron James was selected as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has played for the Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
James is a 19-time NBA All-Star, 4-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and 4-time NBA Champion, winning titles with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and Los Angeles Lakers (2020). He’s also been named to the All-NBA First Team 13 times and the All-Defensive First Team 5 times.
James boasts career averages (to date) of around 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known for his versatility, court vision, and ability to excel in virtually every aspect of the game.
James Key Stats
- MVP (Cavs, Heat)
- All-NBA (Cavs, Heat, Lakers)
- All-Star (Cavs, Heat, Lakers)
- NBA Championship (Cavs, Heat, Lakers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Cavs, Heat, Lakers)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Cavs, Heat, Lakers)
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, also known as “Shaq,” was one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. His career spanned from 1992 to 2011, featuring stints with several teams including the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics.
His career achievements include four NBA Championships (three with the Lakers and one with the Heat), three NBA Finals MVP awards, a regular-season MVP award in 2000, and 15 All-Star game appearances. O’Neal’s career totals include 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds, and 2732 blocks.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Beyond his playing career, O’Neal has also had a successful run as a sports analyst, businessman, and even a DJ.
O’Neal Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Lakers, Magic, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers, Celtics)
- MVP (Lakers)
- All-Star (Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Magic, Lakers, Heat)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Magic, Lakers, Heat)
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in the history of the NBA. He was drafted 5th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2003 NBA Draft, a draft class that also featured players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
Wade spent the majority of his illustrious career with the Miami Heat, where he became a central figure in the team’s success over many years. Over his career, he was a 13-time NBA All-Star and earned a variety of awards including the 2006 NBA Finals MVP after leading the Heat to their first championship victory.
Wade also played pivotal roles in the Miami Heat’s back-to-back championship wins in 2012 and 2013, alongside LeBron James and Chris Bosh, forming a trio that became known as the “Big Three.”
Wade Key Stats
- All NBA (Heat)
- All-Star (Heat)
- NBA Champ (Heat)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Heat)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Heat)
Kevin Love
Kevin Love was drafted 5th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2008 NBA Draft but was promptly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he established himself as one of the league’s most dominant power forwards.
During his tenure with the Timberwolves, Love was a three-time All-Star and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2011. He led the league in rebounding in the 2010-2011 season and was also the first player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a month, which he did in March 2014.
In the summer of 2014, Love was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he teamed up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to form a new “big three.” In Cleveland, Love transitioned to a more perimeter-oriented role and helped the team win its first NBA Championship in 2016.
Love Key Stats
- All-NBA (Timberwolves)
- All-Star (Timberwolves, Cavs)
- NBA Champ (Cavs)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Timberwolves)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Timberwolves, Cavs)
Mike Miller
Mike Miller was a player known for his shooting ability, particularly beyond the arc. He was selected as the 5th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, and his standout performances during his rookie season earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
In 2003, he joined the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year for the 2005-2006 season. Miller’s career then took him to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards, but it was his tenure with the Miami Heat that brought him significant recognition.
Joining the Heat in 2010, Miller played a key role in the team’s back-to-back NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013. He made a significant contribution in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, when he made 7 of 8 three-point attempts, helping the Heat secure the championship.
Shawn Marion
Shawn Marion, nicknamed “The Matrix”, was drafted 9th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1999 NBA Draft. He quickly became a key player for the Suns, known for his ability to fill up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Marion was a four-time NBA All-Star and was considered one of the most versatile players in the league, capable of playing and defending multiple positions effectively. His career includes stops with the Heat, Raptors, and Cavaliers, but he is perhaps best remembered for his time with the Mavericks, where he won an NBA Championship in 2011.
For his career, Marion scored 17,700 points, grabbed 10,101 rebounds, and racked up 1759 steals, which demonstrates his ability to contribute across various facets of the game.
Marion Key Stats
- All-NBA (Suns)
- All-Star (Suns)
- NBA Championship (Mavericks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Suns)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Suns)
Chris Andersen
Chris Andersen, commonly known as “Birdman,” debuted in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets in 2001. With his athletic ability, particularly as a shot-blocker and rebounder, Andersen quickly carved out a role for himself. His high-flying dunks and blocks energized both teammates and fans.
However, Andersen faced challenges off the court. In 2006, he was dismissed from the NBA for two years for violating the league’s drug policy. Demonstrating resilience, Andersen used this period to rehabilitate and eventually made a successful return to the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets in 2008.
Perhaps the most memorable stint of his career was with the Miami Heat. Joining the team in 2013, Andersen played a pivotal role off the bench during the Heat’s championship run, helping them secure the NBA title that year.
Luol Deng
Luol Deng was born in South Sudan and raised in the UK. Deng’s basketball journey began internationally before he moved to the U.S. to play high school basketball. He played one season of college basketball at Duke University before declaring for the NBA.
Deng was selected 7th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2004 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls. In Chicago, he became a cornerstone of the team’s success, earning two All-Star selections and establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defenders.
After a decade with the Bulls, Deng had stints with several teams, including the Heat, Lakers, and Timberwolves. Beyond his on-court contributions, Deng was highly regarded for his humanitarian efforts, especially concerning refugees and communities affected by conflict.
Deng Key Stats
- All-Star (Bulls)
Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder is an NBA player known for his toughness and versatility. He was drafted 34th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he spent the first part of his career.
Crowder has been something of an NBA journeyman, playing for several teams including the Celtics, Cavaliers, Jazz, Grizzlies, Heat, Suns and Bucks. Despite changing teams frequently, Crowder has consistently been valued for his ‘3-and-D skills’ (three-point shooting and defense), as well as his ability to play both forward positions.
He has played crucial roles in deep playoff runs for several teams, including the Miami Heat in 2020, where he helped the team reach the NBA Finals, and the Phoenix Suns in 2021, also reaching the NBA Finals.
Jim Jackson
Jim Jackson entered the NBA when he was selected 4th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1992 NBA Draft.
In Dallas, he quickly showcased his scoring prowess, becoming one of the young pillars of the team alongside Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn. However, despite the promise, the trio was short-lived due to various factors, including injuries and internal dynamics.
What followed for Jackson was a journeyman’s career, as he played for 12 different NBA teams, which included stints with the 76ers, Warriors, Trail Blazers, and Rockets, among others. Despite the frequent relocations, Jackson consistently proved his worth on the court, often providing a scoring punch and veteran presence.
Jackson Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Mavericks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nets, Warriors)
