6 Basketball Players who Played for Suns 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 Phoenix Suns 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 Suns and the Cavaliers.
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)
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)
Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne was drafted 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2015 NBA Draft after two standout seasons at Murray State.
His early career was somewhat turbulent, with injuries impacting his time in Oklahoma City before he was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2017. After stints with the Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Payne was out of the NBA for a brief period.
Payne resurrected his career with a solid performance in the NBA bubble in 2020 with the Phoenix Suns, showing his abilities as a scorer and playmaker off the bench. He was a key contributor to the Suns’ playoff run in the 2020-2021 season, which culminated in an NBA Finals appearance.
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)
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.
Robin Lopez
Robin Lopez was selected 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2008 NBA Draft. In his early career with the Suns, Lopez provided reliable depth at the center position, known for his rim protection and rebounding.
His time in Phoenix was followed by a successful stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he became a full-time starter and was appreciated for his defensive efforts and hard screens.
Lopez then had brief but impactful spells with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks, providing a steady inside presence and veteran leadership. In recent years, Lopez has continued to bounce around with multiple teams with varied levels of success.
