The number 10 has had a strange and often uneven run in Cavaliers history, but it has still produced a handful of memorable names across the years.
The trail starts in 1971 with Cooke, who spent his lone NBA season in Cleveland. He appeared in 73 games wearing No. 10 and finished that year with 4.3 points per game.
From there, the jersey found one of its most important long-term homes with Snyder, the first Cavaliers player in this group to last more than one season. He became part of the “Miracle of Richfield” era and played a key role in the upset of the Washington Bullets, both with the shot that turned the series and the defensive stop that followed.
Over 300 games, he averaged 10.5 points. A North Canton, Ohio native, he was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Frazier’s Cleveland stop was much shorter. As noted in yesterday’s number 11 story, he was not thrilled when he arrived in a trade, and he later said it helped push him toward the end of his career. He played only 15 games in No. 10 before retiring.
Palacio earned one of the more memorable nicknames tied to this jersey. Known as the “Worst Point Guard of the Century,” it was meant affectionately in Cleveland.
During a brutal tanking season, he played all 80 games for the Cavs in 2003, started 46 of them, and averaged 5 points a night. He handled the floor-general duties for a team that was badly struggling and positioned for the arrival of LeBron James.
For a long stretch between 1980 and 2008, No. 10 mostly saw brief stints and stopgap appearances before Szczerbiak arrived late in his career. He came to Cleveland as part of an 11-player trade involving Chicago and Charlotte, then retired at 32 because of knee degeneration.
That brings the jersey to Garland, and his chapter may sting the most for Cavaliers fans. Drafted by Cleveland, he was one of the early building blocks of the franchise’s post-LeBron reset.
At first, he looked like the kind of electric young guard who could lead a contender. Injuries slowed that path, and after several early playoff exits and more missed time, he was traded to the Clippers for 36-year-old James Harden.
The move drew plenty of criticism and is the kind of deal people will keep revisiting unless it leads to another Cleveland title. Garland is now looking like the new leader of the Clippers.
In Other News...
James Harden Is Making The Cavs Look More Dangerous Than Ever
James Hardens arrival in Cleveland has given the Cavaliers a different kind of offensive gravity, one that goes well beyond the points he puts on the board. In his 18th season, Harden has become a key playmaker and steadying voice for a team that is still blending pieces, and head coach Kenny Atkinson has been quick to point out how much easier the game has become for the players around him as the offense continues to take shape.
What makes this group so intriguing is the way Harden and Donovan Mitchell can bend a defense from different spots and make Cleveland harder to map out possession by possession. Newer faces are already finding a smoother entry into the system because of Hardens passing and feel, and the Cavaliers seem to be leaning into that versatility as they try to turn a talented lineup into something even more unpredictable. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Fringe Rotation Battle Could Be Decided In Final Tune-Up
The Cavaliers preseason is down to one last look, and for a handful of fringe players, Oct. 13 against the Orlando Magic may carry more weight than a typical tune-up. Cleveland still has some sorting to do at the back end of its rotation, with backup point guard and wing minutes among the clearest openings to monitor as the regular season approaches.
Craig Porter Jr., Mario Hezonja and Tyrese Proctor are among the names trying to make a case for themselves in front of coach Kenny Atkinson. For Porter, the challenge is turning this opportunity into a steadier role, while the wing mix is crowded enough that every possession matters, making the final preseason game a meaningful audition rather than just another exhibition. [Read more 🡒]
Craig Porter Jr. Is Making A Real Push For Cavs Minutes
Craig Porter Jr. has made a noticeable case for himself this preseason as the Cavaliers sort through the backup point guard spot. His passing has stood out, his athleticism has been on display in recent games, and the coaching staff has already pointed to the versatility that makes him such an intriguing option behind the lead guards.
Porters situation still carries some uncertainty, though, and that gives every possession a little extra weight. His contract is not fully guaranteed until January, so while he has been helping his case on the floor, the final shape of his role in Cleveland remains very much to be determined. [Read more 🡒]