Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons players: who played for both
Who played for both the Cavaliers and Pistons?
48 players played for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons between 1970–71 and 2025–26, including Ben Wallace, Derrick Rose, Bill Laimbeer and Andre Drummond. 22 of them played for the Cavaliers first and 26 for the Pistons first.
Did you know?
- Johnny Egan is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Pistons first, then the Cavaliers from 1970–71.
- Javonte Green is the most recent: Cavaliers first, then the Pistons from 2025–26.
- Bill Laimbeer played the most seasons across the two: 2 for the Cavaliers and 13 for the Pistons.
- 6 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Ben Wallace.
- Most common positions on this list: PF (13), PG (13), C (11), SG (7).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Cavaliers and the Pistons. The surname is enough. 0 / 48
All 48 players, most seasons with the two first
| Player | Pos | Cavaliers | Pistons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Laimbeer | C/PF | 1980–1982 (2 s) | 1981–1994 (13 s) |
| Ben Wallace | C/PF | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2000–2006, 2009–2012 (9 s) |
| Phil Hubbard | PF/C | 1981–1989 (8 s) | 1979–1982 (3 s) |
| Andre Drummond | C | 2019–2021 (2 s) | 2012–2020 (8 s) |
| Kent Benson | C | 1987–88 (1 s) | 1979–1986 (7 s) |
| Jim Brewer | PF | 1973–1979 (6 s) | 1978–79 (1 s) |
| Mark West | C | 1984–1988, 1996–97 (5 s) | 1994–1996 (2 s) |
| Bob Sura | SG/PG | 1995–2000 (5 s) | 2003–04 (1 s) |
| James Edwards | C | 1981–1983 (2 s) | 1987–1991 (4 s) |
| Ben Poquette | PF | 1983–1987 (4 s) | 1977–1979 (2 s) |
| Brandon Knight | PG/SG | 2018–2020 (2 s) | 2011–2013, 2019–20 (3 s) |
| Caris LeVert | SG | 2021–2025 (4 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Damon Jones | PG/SG | 2005–2008 (3 s) | 2001–02 (1 s) |
| Jon Leuer | PF/C | 2012–13 (1 s) | 2016–2019 (3 s) |
| Paul Mokeski | C | 1981–82, 1989–90 (2 s) | 1980–1982 (2 s) |
| Tony Campbell | SF/SG | 1994–95 (1 s) | 1984–1987 (3 s) |
| Kenny Carr | PF | 1979–1982 (3 s) | 1981–82 (1 s) |
| Johnny Egan | PG | 1970–71 (1 s) | 1961–1964 (3 s) |
| Derrick Rose | PG/SG | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2019–2021 (2 s) |
| Joe Smith | PF | 2007–2009 (2 s) | 2000–01 (1 s) |
| Thon Maker | C/PF | 2020–21 (1 s) | 2018–2020 (2 s) |
| José Calderón | PG | 2017–18 (1 s) | 2012–13, 2018–19 (2 s) |
| Joe Harris | SF/SG | 2014–2016 (2 s) | 2023–24 (1 s) |
| Marcus Morris Sr. | PF | 2023–24 (1 s) | 2015–2017 (2 s) |
| Alec Burks | SG | 2018–19 (1 s) | 2022–2024 (2 s) |
| Wayne Ellington | SG | 2012–13 (1 s) | 2018–19, 2020–21 (2 s) |
| Tree Rollins | C | 1988–1990 (2 s) | 1990–91 (1 s) |
| John Henson | PF/C | 2018–2020 (2 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Jordan McRae | SF/SG | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Ronald Murray | PG/SG | 2005–06 (1 s) | 2006–2008 (2 s) |
| McCoy McLemore | PF/C | 1970–71 (1 s) | 1968–1970 (2 s) |
| Fred Foster | SF | 1973–1975 (2 s) | 1972–73 (1 s) |
| Dennis Schröder | PG | 2025–26 (1 s) | 2024–25 (1 s) |
| Scot Pollard | C/PF | 2006–07 (1 s) | 1997–98 (1 s) |
| Smush Parker | PG/SG | 2002–03 (1 s) | 2004–05 (1 s) |
| Mateen Cleaves | PG | 2003–04 (1 s) | 2000–01 (1 s) |
| Javonte Green | SG/SF | 2024–25 (1 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Kay Felder | PG | 2016–17 (1 s) | 2017–18 (1 s) |
| Pete Chilcutt | PF | 1999–00 (1 s) | 1993–94 (1 s) |
| Len Chappell | PF/C | 1970–71 (1 s) | 1967–68 (1 s) |
| John Crotty | PG | 1995–96 (1 s) | 1999–00 (1 s) |
| Tyler Cook | PF | 2019–20 (1 s) | 2020–21 (1 s) |
| Tim Frazier | PG | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2019–20 (1 s) |
| Kornél Dávid | PF | 1999–00 (1 s) | 2000–01 (1 s) |
| Litterial Green | PG | 1998–99 (1 s) | 1996–97 (1 s) |
| Earl Tatum | SG/SF | 1979–80 (1 s) | 1978–79 (1 s) |
| Steve Hayes | C | 1982–83 (1 s) | 1981–82 (1 s) |
| Keith Herron | SG/SF | 1981–82 (1 s) | 1980–81 (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.Pistons seasons include the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957).
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Questions
How many players have played for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons?
48, from 1970–71 to 2025–26, including Ben Wallace, Derrick Rose, Bill Laimbeer and Andre Drummond. 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?
Johnny Egan: Detroit Pistons first, then the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1970–71.
Who has played for both recently?
Caris LeVert, Dennis Schröder and Javonte Green, 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. Pistons seasons include the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957).
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