Matthew Dellavedova’s name still carries real weight in Cleveland, and it’s not hard to see why the idea of him joining the Cavaliers’ coaching staff has traction.
Born on September 8, 1990, Dellavedova arrived in Cleveland ahead of the 2013-14 season as an undrafted rookie and had to fight for everything. He worked his way into the rotation, then turned into a cult favorite during the 2015 NBA Finals while helping a short-handed Cavs team grind through the series.
That Finals run is still the clearest example of what he brought. Dellavedova played so hard chasing Stephen Curry that he was hospitalized after Game 3 because of severe dehydration. By the end of that stretch, he was exhausted after logging 39 minutes in that matchup, but Cleveland still came away with a win and a 2-1 series lead despite being down two All-Stars.
That kind of approach is exactly why he would make sense around a young backcourt. Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor would stand to gain plenty from a coach who built his career on effort, discipline and doing the dirty work every possession. Dellavedova fits the same competitive mold as Patrick Beverley, Tony Allen and Alex Caruso, and his influence could be especially valuable for guards who are already talented on offense.
He also has a track record of connecting with teammates. Dellavedova played with Jarrett Allen in 2021, and that familiarity would only help him settle into a locker room. His reputation for bringing people along is part of the appeal.
The Cavaliers have plenty of reasons to remember what he meant on the court, too. Even though he did not play much in the 2016 NBA Finals, the source of the franchise’s title run still included Dellavedova. His year with the Bucks helped push that team to the postseason, and his lone season with the Kings in 2022-23 came during the franchise’s only playoff appearance in the last 20 seasons.
He kept that success going this past year with the Sydney Kings in the NBL, where they won a championship and Dellavedova filled a key reserve role while chasing Bryce Cotton around in the series.
None of that has happened by accident. As an undrafted player, he had to earn everything the hard way, and that showed immediately in Cleveland. Teams he’s joined have tended to improve, and his impact has been noticed well beyond the box score.
He also continues to speak highly of Cleveland. He was telling former SAC teammate Keon Ellis about his experiences after Ellis was traded there, and he did the same for Luke Travers when Travers was weighing the move over two years after being drafted.
Dellavedova even pulled the sword before a playoff game last season and later reunited with former teammates on a 10-year championship anniversary trip. The connection to Cleveland is still there, and whenever he comes back to the United States, that’s where he goes.
If he decides coaching is the next step, the Cavaliers look like the natural landing spot. And with 2X former Cavalier Anderson Varejao already back in the organization, Dellavedova would fit right in as another familiar face returning to Cleveland in retirement.
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