10 Basketball Players who Played for Lakers 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 Los Angeles Lakers 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 Lakers 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)
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison, known for his versatile scoring ability and rebounding prowess, played for several teams during his career, including the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Selected 4th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors, he was immediately traded to the Warriors where he began his career. Jamison was a two-time NBA All-Star, and in 2004, while with the Mavericks, he was awarded the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Over his career, Jamison averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Despite his individual success, Jamison’s teams rarely made deep playoff runs. Regardless, he left a significant mark on the NBA with his consistent production and professionalism.
Jamison Key Stats
- All-Star (Wizards)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Warriors, Wizards)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Wizards)
Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer spent 13 seasons in the NBA and was known for his scoring and rebounding ability. Boozer was drafted 35th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers out of Duke University, where he had won an NCAA championship.
After two seasons in Cleveland, he signed with the Utah Jazz. In Utah, alongside point guard Deron Williams, Boozer was a two-time NBA All-Star and a key figure in the team’s success. He was a part of the team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2007.
After his stint with the Jazz, Boozer signed with the Chicago Bulls where he continued to be a solid contributor. He finished his NBA career with a season at the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014-15. Over his career, Boozer averaged 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
Boozer Key Stats
- All-NBA (Jazz)
- All-Star (Jazz)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Jazz)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Cavaliers, Jazz)
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond was selected as the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Over the course of his career, he has played for several teams including the Pistons, Cavaliers, Lakers, 76ers, Nets and Bulls.
Drummond’s accomplishments include being named to the NBA All-Star team twice, leading the league in rebounding four times, and earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 2016.
His dominating presence in the paint, particularly as a rebounder, has made Drummond one of the most consistent big men in the league. His ability to score around the basket and alter shots defensively has contributed to his teams’ successes over the years.
Drummond Key Stats
- All-NBA (Pistons)
- All-Star (Pistons)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pistons, Cavs, Lakers, Nets)
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics. He quickly became a starter and vital component for the Celtics, helping them win the NBA championship in 2008 alongside the “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.
Rondo led the NBA in assists per game three times (2012, 2013, and 2016), and he’s recognized for his playoff performances, stepping up his game significantly in the postseason.
Rondo played for the Celtics until 2014, and since then he has had stints with the Mavericks, Kings, Bulls, Pelicans, Lakers, and Hawks. His second NBA Championship came in 2020 with the Lakers, where his veteran experience and leadership proved pivotal.
Rondo Key Stats
- All-NBA (Celtics)
- All-Star (Celtics)
- NBA Championship (Celtics, Lakers)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Celtics, Kings, Bulls, Pelicans)
J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith was drafted straight out of high school by the New Orleans Hornets with the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Over his career, Smith played for several NBA teams including the Nuggets, Knicks, Cavaliers, and Lakers.
His most noteworthy accomplishments came with the Cavaliers, where he was a key player in their 2016 championship run, providing crucial scoring and perimeter defense alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Smith would win another championship with LeBron in 2020 and the Lakers, but in a much more limited role.
Smith’s time in the NBA was marked by high-scoring performances and a streaky shooting style, which earned him both praise and criticism. He was known for his ability to catch fire from three-point range and go on impressive scoring runs.
Danny Green
Danny Green is celebrated for his three-point shooting prowess and staunch perimeter defense. After playing college basketball for the University of North Carolina, where he won an NCAA championship in 2009, Green was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Though he had a slow start to his NBA career, Green eventually found his footing with the San Antonio Spurs. He was part of the Spurs’ 2014 NBA Championship team and set a record for most three-pointers in an NBA Finals series that year.
Green’s value as a “3-and-D” player has kept him in demand. He played for the Toronto Raptors, contributing to their 2019 NBA Championship win. After his stint in Toronto, Green played for the Los Angeles Lakers and was instrumental in their 2020 NBA Championship run, marking his third NBA title with three different teams.
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)
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)
