Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers players: who played for both
Who played for both the Bulls and Cavaliers?
62 players played for both the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers between 1970–71 and 2025–26, including Dwyane Wade, Ben Wallace, Nate Thurmond and Derrick Rose. 36 of them played for the Bulls first and 20 for the Cavaliers first; 6 played for both in the same season.
Did you know?
- Len Chappell is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Bulls first, then the Cavaliers from 1970–71.
- Lonzo Ball is the most recent: Bulls first, then the Cavaliers from 2025–26.
- Tristan Thompson played the most seasons across the two: 1 for the Bulls and 11 for the Cavaliers.
- 3 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Tristan Thompson.
- Most common positions on this list: PF (18), PG (13), SF (11), C (10).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Bulls and the Cavaliers. The surname is enough. 0 / 62
All 62 players, most seasons with the two first
| Player | Pos | Bulls | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tristan Thompson | C | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2011–2020, 2023–2025 (11 s) |
| Luol Deng OBE | SF/PF | 2004–2014 (10 s) | 2013–14 (1 s) |
| Derrick Rose | PG/SG | 2008–2016 (8 s) | 2017–18 (1 s) |
| Steve Kerr | PG/SG | 1993–1998 (5 s) | 1989–1993 (4 s) |
| Ron Harper | SG/PG | 1994–1999 (5 s) | 1986–1990 (4 s) |
| Carlos Boozer | PF | 2010–2014 (4 s) | 2002–2004 (2 s) |
| Isaac Okoro | SF/SG | 2025–26 (1 s) | 2020–2025 (5 s) |
| Drew Gooden | PF | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2004–2008 (4 s) |
| Denzel Valentine | SG | 2016–2021 (5 s) | 2021–22 (1 s) |
| Steve Patterson | C | 1975–76 (1 s) | 1971–1976 (5 s) |
| Rowland Garrett | SF | 1972–1976 (4 s) | 1975–1977 (2 s) |
| Lonzo Ball | PG | 2021–2025 (4 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Kyle Korver | SG/SF | 2010–2012 (2 s) | 2016–2019 (3 s) |
| Lauri Markkanen | SF/PF | 2017–2021 (4 s) | 2021–22 (1 s) |
| Collin Sexton | PG/SG | 2025–26 (1 s) | 2018–2022 (4 s) |
| Larry Hughes | SG | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2005–2008 (3 s) |
| Donyell Marshall | PF/SF | 2002–2004 (2 s) | 2005–2008 (3 s) |
| Javonte Green | SG/SF | 2020–2024 (4 s) | 2024–25 (1 s) |
| Scott Williams | PF/C | 1990–1994 (4 s) | 2004–05 (1 s) |
| Corie Blount | PF/C | 1993–1995, 2002–2004 (4 s) | 1998–99 (1 s) |
| Rod Higgins | SF/PF | 1982–1986 (4 s) | 1993–94 (1 s) |
| Ben Poquette | PF | 1986–87 (1 s) | 1983–1987 (4 s) |
| Barry Clemens | PF | 1966–1969 (3 s) | 1972–1974 (2 s) |
| Ben Wallace | C/PF | 2006–2008 (2 s) | 2007–2009 (2 s) |
| Nate Thurmond | C/PF | 1974–1976 (2 s) | 1975–1977 (2 s) |
| Andre Drummond | C | 2022–2024 (2 s) | 2019–2021 (2 s) |
| Max Strus | SF/SG | 2019–20 (1 s) | 2023–2026 (3 s) |
| Robin Lopez | C | 2016–2019 (3 s) | 2022–23 (1 s) |
| Cameron Payne | PG/SG | 2016–2019 (3 s) | 2018–19 (1 s) |
| Mike Dunleavy Jr. | SF/SG | 2013–2016 (3 s) | 2016–17 (1 s) |
| Larry Kenon | PF | 1980–1983 (3 s) | 1982–83 (1 s) |
| Ron Brewer | SG | 1985–86 (1 s) | 1981–1983, 1985–86 (3 s) |
| Walt Wesley | C | 1969–70 (1 s) | 1970–1973 (3 s) |
| Joe Smith | PF | 2007–08 (1 s) | 2007–2009 (2 s) |
| Shannon Brown | SG | 2007–08 (1 s) | 2006–2008 (2 s) |
| Luke Kornet | C/PF | 2019–2021 (2 s) | 2021–22 (1 s) |
| James Edwards | C | 1995–96 (1 s) | 1981–1983 (2 s) |
| Lou Amundson | PF/C | 2012–2014 (2 s) | 2014–15 (1 s) |
| Mark Bryant | PF/C | 1998–99 (1 s) | 1999–2001 (2 s) |
| Ennis Whatley | PG | 1983–1985 (2 s) | 1985–86 (1 s) |
| Kornél Dávid | PF | 1998–2000 (2 s) | 1999–00 (1 s) |
| Bob Wilkerson | SF/SG | 1980–81 (1 s) | 1981–1983 (2 s) |
| Cedric Simmons | PF/C | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Demetris Nichols | SF/PF | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Eric Fernsten | C/PF | 1975–1977 (2 s) | 1975–76 (1 s) |
| McCoy McLemore | PF/C | 1966–1968 (2 s) | 1970–71 (1 s) |
| Dwyane Wade | SG | 2016–17 (1 s) | 2017–18 (1 s) |
| Rajon Rondo | PG | 2016–17 (1 s) | 2021–22 (1 s) |
| Steve Colter | PG | 1986–87 (1 s) | 1994–95 (1 s) |
| Kevin Ollie | PG | 2001–02 (1 s) | 2003–04 (1 s) |
| Kay Felder | PG | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2016–17 (1 s) |
| David Nwaba | SG/SF | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2018–19 (1 s) |
| Ronald Murray | PG/SG | 2009–10 (1 s) | 2005–06 (1 s) |
| Devin Brown | SG | 2009–10 (1 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Len Chappell | PF/C | 1966–67 (1 s) | 1970–71 (1 s) |
| Alfonzo McKinnie | SF | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Tyler Cook | PF | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Mike Bratz | PG | 1982–83 (1 s) | 1980–81 (1 s) |
| Stephen Graham | SF/SG | 2005–06 (1 s) | 2005–06 (1 s) |
| Joe Courtney | PF | 1992–93 (1 s) | 1995–96 (1 s) |
| Lari Ketner | PF | 1999–00 (1 s) | 1999–00 (1 s) |
| Willie Smith | PG | 1976–77 (1 s) | 1979–80 (1 s) |
From English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0), BAA/NBA seasons 1946–47 to 2025–26. A season counts when the player's infobox lists it for the franchise; ABA seasons do not count.
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Questions
How many players have played for both the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers?
62, from 1970–71 to 2025–26, including Dwyane Wade, Ben Wallace, Nate Thurmond and Derrick Rose. A player counts when his Wikipedia infobox lists at least one NBA season with each franchise.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both?
Len Chappell: Chicago Bulls first, then the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1970–71.
Who has played for both recently?
Tristan Thompson, Isaac Okoro, Lonzo Ball, Collin Sexton, Javonte Green and Max Strus, with a season for one of the two in 2024–25 or 2025–26.
Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?
Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise: every old name and city is linked to the club that carries its history today. Neither of these teams has moved or changed its name.
Careers from English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0); player ids from Wikidata (CC0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams; AllStar Grid is not affiliated with the NBA or any team. Logos via TheSportsDB. Credits