Cleveland Cavaliers: The top 20 rookie debuts in team history

#15 (tied): Dion Waiters (Fourth overall) – Oct. 30, 2012

Game Score: 9.8

If your investment portfolio ever included stock in Waiters Island, I hope a mitigation strategy was in place to get you back to the safety of the mainland.

For a while there, Dion Waiters commodity had its value. His combination of athleticism and perpetual heat-checking saw the 6-foot-3, 215-pound guard carve out a Sixth-man-scorer role which, after Cleveland, included prominent stints with the title-contending Oklahoma City Thunder and post-LeBron Miami Heat.

Drafted fourth overall out of Syracuse, Waiters, who averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in almost three seasons with the Cavs, didn’t disappoint on debut. Outclassing fellow rookie Bradley Beal, he posted 17 points on 14 shots along with 3 steals in the Cavs’ 10-point win. Waiters would go on to earn All-Rookie First Team honors.

It wouldn’t take long for his career to stray however. After being traded to the Thunder and subsequently released, Waiters signed with the Heat where he would be disciplined multiple times, including reportedly consuming THC-infused edibles on a flight which led to a panic attack. Waiters then joined the other 2020 NBA Finalist LA Lakers, all but guaranteeing himself a ring in the Bubble. Not long after, the 29-year old hinted at retirement due to the “politics” of the NBA. Waiters hasn’t played in the league since.

#15 (tied): Eddie Jordan (Second round, 33rd overall), Oct. 18, 1977

Game Score: 9.8

“Fast Eddie” is probably best remembered as a former NBA head coach which included stops with the Sacramento Kings (1998), Washington (2003-08) and, most recently, Philadelphia in 2010.

Before becoming a coach however, Jordan journeyed the NBA as a backup point guard, playing 420 games on four different teams. Despite being traded just 22 games into his rookie season, the second-round draft pick impressed in his debut with 11 points, 6 assists and 2 steals in 23 minutes.

#14: D.J. Kennedy (Undrafted), April 25, 2012

Game Score: 9.9

Undrafted out of St. John’s in 2011, Kennedy’s first NBA game wouldn’t come until April in 2012 and despite playing only one more career game after his debut, Kennedy posted 12 points (5-6 FG), 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 31 minutes. He has since played in stops all around the world and is currently a member of BC Kamianske in the Ukraine.

#12 (tied): Tristan Thompson (Fourth overall), Dec. 26, 2011

Game Score: 10.1

As the fourth selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, Tristan Thompson held the record of highest drafted Canadian before the Cavaliers selected fellow Canuck Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins in (2014) #1 overall. Unlike Bennett and Wiggins however, Thompson would prove to be a foundational piece, playing 619 career games and helping the Cavs reach four straight NBA Finals. This included averages of 10.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in the 2016 NBA Finals which saw the Wine and Gold bring home their first NBA championship in franchise history.

Thompson’s debut against his native Toronto Raptors was an indication of what was to come for the Cavaliers – a solid and respectable 12 points (4-6 FG) and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. The 6-foot-9 power forward/center (at that point) would go on to earn All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2012.

#12 (tied): Paul Thompson (Third round, 50th overall), Oct. 28, 1983

Game Score: 10.1

Selected 50th overall by Cleveland in the old 10-round NBA Draft system, Thompson quickly proved his worth as a high energy small forward off the bench. In his debut the ex-Tulane Green Wave registered a quick-fire 10 points (4-8 FG) in just 12 minutes, adding 2 steals and a block. In the 7-point loss to the New York Knicks, Thompson had the opportunity to see another small forward up close – Hall of Famer Bernard King.