The No. 15 jersey has not exactly been a long-term home in Cleveland, but it has touched a few different eras of Cavaliers basketball. Only one player has managed to stick around for more than two seasons in the number, and the rest of the list is built on quick stops, brief flashes, and one especially notable bust.
Dave Sorenson set the standard for the jersey. The Ohio native from Findlay, who played at Ohio State, was drafted by the Cavs in their first NBA season and ended up becoming the longest-tenured No. 15 in franchise history. He played 165 games in Cleveland and averaged 8.8 points per game.
After Sorenson, the next No. 15 to log more than 100 games was Phegley, who turned in the best stretch of his career with the Cavs. In 109 games, he averaged 13 points per game.
The number also had a one-of-a-kind footnote in Martynas, who appeared in just six games and never scored for Cleveland. Even so, his name still earns a mention because it is the longest ever in NBA history.
Jamario Moon was the next player to reach at least 100 games in the jersey. He spent two seasons with the Cavaliers and became a high-flying role player and fan favorite.
He was also the player who famously said it felt like a “funeral” when LeBron decided to head to South Beach to play for the Heat. Another familiar moment from his Cleveland stint came when he was traded to the Clippers with Mo Williams for the pick that would eventually bring Kyrie Irving to the Cavs.
Moon played 101 games for the franchise and averaged 5 points per game.
Then came one of the more infamous names in NBA draft history: Antony Bennett. Cleveland took him No. 1 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, but his time with the team lasted just one season.
The Cavs eventually moved on from their top pick by trading him and another No. 1 pick, Andrew Wiggins, to get Kevin Love. Bennett appeared in 52 games for Cleveland and averaged 4.2 points per game.
And the No. 15 story may not be done yet. The source notes that one player has not appeared in an official NBA game, but after his Summer League showing, he is looking like a candidate to become one of the more tenured No. 15s in franchise history if he can live up to the hype. With a stacked backcourt, he’ll have to bring his best basketball to earn real minutes as a rookie.
In Other News...
Cavaliers May Have Found The Wing Help This Roster Needed
The Cavaliers have added another name to the mix on the wing, signing Mario Hezonja to a one-year minimum deal as he looks to make his way back into the NBA after several seasons in Europe. It is a low-risk move, but one that fits neatly into a roster that has been searching for more size, energy and versatility on the perimeter.
Early exhibition play has already given Cleveland something to watch, with Hezonja showing a stronger frame and more burst than he had in his previous NBA run. If that carries over, he could push for a meaningful role and perhaps give the bench a different look than Dean Wade did as a reserve, which would be welcome depth for a team trying to fortify its wings before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Weighed In On James Hardens Cavs Debate
Donovan Mitchell has no interest in letting James Harden be reduced to a ringless talking point. In a recent take on Hardens place in the game, Mitchell argued that the veteran guard is judged too harshly because he has not won an NBA championship, even though his impact has been felt far beyond the trophy case. Mitchell pointed to Hardens influence, passion and work ethic from their time as teammates with the Cavaliers, adding another voice to a debate that tends to flatten a long, accomplished career.
For Cleveland, the bigger picture is that Hardens return comes at a moment when the conversation around him is still loaded with expectations. He recently agreed to a contract extension after being traded from the LA Clippers, keeping his next chapter tied to a team that now has both a high-profile veteran and a former teammate willing to defend his reputation. Whether the outside discourse changes is another matter, but inside the organization, Mitchell made it clear he sees far more in Harden than the missing championship line. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Proctor Just Made Clevelands Guard Battle A Lot More Real
Tyrese Proctor has made the kind of offseason progress that tends to change how a coaching staff views the back end of a rotation. After getting feedback from Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, Proctor leaned into strength training and showed notable physical improvement, a step forward that fits the organizations emphasis on durability and defensive reliability. He has also taken advantage of the chance to learn from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, which adds a little more intrigue to a camp competition that already had a few moving parts.
Now the guard battle is looking a lot more crowded, with Proctor pushing to join Craig Porter Jr. and Meleek Thomas in the mix for backup minutes. The Cavaliers still appear to be sorting through what they want most from that spot, especially on the defensive end, so there is no clean answer yet. But Proctors growth has made this more than a placeholder competition, and that is exactly the kind of development that can linger deep into the preseason. [Read more 🡒]