Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets players: who played for both
Who played for both the Cavaliers and Nuggets?
49 players played for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets between 1976–77 and 2025–26, including Isaiah Thomas, J. R. Smith, JaVale McGee and Joe Smith. 23 of them played for the Cavaliers first and 24 for the Nuggets first; 2 played for both in the same season.
Did you know?
- Dave Robisch is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Cavaliers first, then the Nuggets from 1980–81.
- Thomas Bryant is the most recent: Nuggets first, then the Cavaliers from 2025–26.
- J. R. Smith played the most seasons across the two: 5 for the Cavaliers and 5 for the Nuggets.
- 6 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Andre Miller.
- Most common positions on this list: PG (13), PF (11), C (10), SF (8).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Cavaliers and the Nuggets. The surname is enough. 0 / 49
All 49 players, most seasons with the two first
| Player | Pos | Cavaliers | Nuggets |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. R. Smith | SG/SF | 2014–2019 (5 s) | 2006–2011 (5 s) |
| Andre Miller | PG | 1999–2002 (3 s) | 2003–2007, 2011–2014 (7 s) |
| Bryant Stith | SG | 2001–02 (1 s) | 1992–2000 (8 s) |
| Chris Andersen | C/PF | 2016–17 (1 s) | 2001–2004, 2008–2012 (7 s) |
| Timofey Mozgov | C | 2014–2016 (2 s) | 2010–2015 (5 s) |
| Reggie Williams (1987–1997) | SG/SF | 1989–90 (1 s) | 1990–1996 (6 s) |
| Mike Evans | PG | 1981–82 (1 s) | 1982–1988 (6 s) |
| JaVale McGee | C | 2020–21 (1 s) | 2011–2015, 2020–21 (5 s) |
| Earl Boykins | PG | 1998–2000 (2 s) | 2003–2007 (4 s) |
| JJ Hickson | PF/C | 2008–2011 (3 s) | 2013–2016 (3 s) |
| Wesley Person | SG/SF | 1997–2002 (5 s) | 2004–05 (1 s) |
| Alonzo Gee | SG/SF | 2010–2014 (4 s) | 2014–15, 2016–17 (2 s) |
| Dave Robisch | C/PF | 1979–1981 (2 s) | 1980–1984 (4 s) |
| Jerome Lane | PF/SF | 1992–93 (1 s) | 1988–1992 (4 s) |
| Bob Wilkerson | SF/SG | 1981–1983 (2 s) | 1977–1980 (3 s) |
| Kim Hughes | C | 1980–81 (1 s) | 1978–1981 (3 s) |
| Robert Smith | PG | 1980–81, 1984–85 (2 s) | 1977–1979 (2 s) |
| Joe Smith | PF | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2006–07 (1 s) |
| Richard Jefferson | SF | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2017–18 (1 s) |
| Jeff Green | PF | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2021–2023 (2 s) |
| Mike Miller | SF/SG | 2014–15 (1 s) | 2015–2017 (2 s) |
| Johnny Newman | SF/SG | 1986–87, 1998–99 (2 s) | 1997–98 (1 s) |
| Dahntay Jones | SF/SG | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2008–09 (1 s) |
| Eric Williams | SF/SG | 2003–04 (1 s) | 1997–1999 (2 s) |
| Jordan McRae | SF/SG | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Jeff McInnis | PG/SG | 2003–2005 (2 s) | 1996–97 (1 s) |
| Mark Bryant | PF/C | 1999–2001 (2 s) | 2002–03 (1 s) |
| Mack Calvin | PG | 1980–81 (1 s) | 1976–1978 (2 s) |
| Jeff Trepagnier | SG | 2001–02 (1 s) | 2002–2004 (2 s) |
| Shawnelle Scott | C | 1996–1998 (2 s) | 2001–02 (1 s) |
| Kenny Higgs | PG | 1978–79 (1 s) | 1980–1982 (2 s) |
| Isaiah Thomas | PG | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2018–19 (1 s) |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | C/PF | 2020–21 (1 s) | 2020–21 (1 s) |
| Brandon Goodwin | PG | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2018–19 (1 s) |
| Thomas Bryant | C/PF | 2025–26 (1 s) | 2022–23 (1 s) |
| Chris Gatling | PF/C | 2000–01 (1 s) | 1999–00 (1 s) |
| Scott Williams | PF/C | 2004–05 (1 s) | 2001–02 (1 s) |
| Tony Battie | C/PF | 2003–04 (1 s) | 1997–98 (1 s) |
| Michael Doleac | PF/C | 2001–02 (1 s) | 2003–04 (1 s) |
| Devin Brown | SG | 2007–08 (1 s) | 2002–03 (1 s) |
| John Crotty | PG | 1995–96 (1 s) | 2002–03 (1 s) |
| Tyler Cook | PF | 2019–20 (1 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Jelani McCoy | PF/C | 2003–04 (1 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Joey Graham | SF | 2010–11 (1 s) | 2009–10 (1 s) |
| Carl Nicks | PG/SG | 1982–83 (1 s) | 1980–81 (1 s) |
| Mike Wilks | PG/SG | 2005–06 (1 s) | 2007–08 (1 s) |
| Tim Kempton | PF/C | 1993–94 (1 s) | 1989–90 (1 s) |
| Elmer Bennett | PG | 1994–95 (1 s) | 1996–97 (1 s) |
| Geoff Crompton | C | 1983–84 (1 s) | 1978–79 (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 Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets?
49, from 1976–77 to 2025–26, including Isaiah Thomas, J. R. Smith, JaVale McGee and Joe Smith. 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?
Dave Robisch: Cleveland Cavaliers first, then the Denver Nuggets from 1980–81.
Who has played for both recently?
Thomas Bryant, 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