4. Mo Williams
Coming to Cleveland in 2008 as part of another three-team trade involving the Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Williams earned All-Star recognition during that first season averaging nearly 18 points per contest. The following year, that number dropped to just under 16, and when LeBron James left after that season, a painful rebuilding process began.
Williams was averaging 13 points per game when he was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Jamario Moon in February 2011. Cleveland received guard Baron Davis, but more importantly, obtained the Clippers’ first round selection in that year’s NBA draft.
That turned out to be a lottery selection, and following a year of misery, the Cavaliers had their first stroke of luck. They won the top overall pick and selected Kyrie Irving.