Cleveland Cavaliers: 15 greatest draft steals in franchise history
By John Buhler
- Six seasons w/Cavaliers (1991-97)
- 2x NBA All-Star (1995-96, 1996-97)
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1991-92)
- 457 career games w/Cavaliers
- 12.7 points, 4.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 steals per game w/Cavaliers
Terrell Brandon came into the league in 1991 after a stellar college career in the Pac-10 with the Oregon Ducks. Brandon was a two-time First-Team All-Pac 10 selection in Eugene, being named conference player of the year in 1991. He ended up being the first player in Oregon men’s hoops history to declare early for the NBA Draft.
Cleveland would use its No. 11 overall pick on the Portland native to be the starting point guard of the future. Of course, Brandon would have to back up Cavaliers legend Mark Price at the point during his first few years in the league. Once Brandon took over the offense full-time in 1994-95, then things started to get really interesting for the former Ducks standout.
Brandon was already an NBA All-Rookie Second Team player by that point of his career, but he never averaged double figures in scoring until he took the reins from Price. From 1994-95 on, Brandon would never average less 12.4 points per game in the final eight seasons of his NBA career.
Then in 1995-96, Brandon would be named to the first of two NBA All-Star Games in Cavaliers uniform. He averaged 19.3 points, 6.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Brandon backed that up with another NBA All-Star season in 1996-97, averaging 19.5 points, 6.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest. That would prove to be his last year in Cleveland.
Brandon was part of a massive three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and the then-Seattle SuperSonics. He went to Milwaukee, while Sean Kemp came to Cleveland and Vin Baker went to Seattle. Two years later, he’d be in another blockbuster trade, this time going to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team deal with the Bucks and the then-New Jersey Nets. Stephon Marbury went from Minnesota to New Jersey and Sam Cassell went from New Jersey to Minnesota.
Brandon would end his career in 2003-04 after being traded to the Atlanta Hawks, but never played for them. Though a good player both in Milwaukee and Minnesota, Brandon is best remembered professionally for being the All-Star heir apparent to Price in Cleveland. Getting a two-time All-Star and strong trade chip at No. 11 after six years of service to the team is a testament to Brandon being one of the Cavaliers’ all-time draft steals. Only one is better.