How To Collect | The Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James, Mark Price, and More

The Cleveland Cavaliers have produced some of the NBA’s most iconic players and memorable moments. From LeBron James’ legendary rise to Mark Price’s sharpshooting, Cavs history offers collectors plenty of chase-worthy cards. This guide breaks down the stars, sets, and storylines that define Cleveland collecting.

Collecting Cleveland Cavaliers cards centers on LeBron James rookies, Kyrie Irving Finals moments, and franchise legends like Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. From rare Chrome refractors to affordable inserts, Cavs collectors can build a collection that highlights championship history, iconic plays, and the franchise’s unique father-son legacy.

Jump to Section:

• Cavs Mount Rushmore
• 2016 Championship Season
• Fan Favorites
• Legends & Deep Cuts
• Collecting Your Way
• FAQs
• Key Stats

Cleveland Cavaliers Mount Rushmore

Cleveland’s Mount Rushmore features the King himself, a wizard with the ball at his hands, and an inside-outside duo that brought Cleveland to multiple playoff appearances.

2003/04 Topps Chrome® Basketball #111 LeBron James RC Gold Refractor /50

2023/24 Topps Three Basketball Ice Water #IW-15 Kyrie Irving /5 

1992 Topps Stadium Club Basketball Beam Team #5 Hakeem Olajuwon / Mark Price / Shawn Kemp 

1993 Topps Finest Basketball #193 Brad Daugherty Refractor

2016 Championship Season

LeBron James started his legendary career as The Kid from Akron, selected as the top overall draft pick in 2003. He later took his talents to South Beach before making a hero’s return to his home state to take care of some unfinished business.

In his second season back home, James put together one of the greatest playoff runs ever, punctuated by a remarkable rally from a 1-3 deficit in the Finals against the greatest regular-season team of all-time, the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. His clutch chase-down block of Andre Iguodala in the dying minutes of Game 7 is one of the most iconic plays in league history. For the first time in over half a century, The Land was home to a champion.

James is unquestionably one of the most important athletes in the history of The Hobby. While he continues to perform at an elite level over two decades after first taking over the league, his cards remain among the true grails in all of sports card collecting.

Although some of his most valuable cards are incredibly expensive, this 2008 Topps Chrome Basketball card, featuring a spectacular image of James in the middle of his famous pre-game routine, is an accessible option for anyone looking to collect the King.

James’ transcendent level of play finally put Cleveland over the top, but his running mates also set an incredible standard and helped turn a team at times too dependent on James, especially in his first years with the Cavs, into a basketball machine. The first option during his time in Minnesota, Kevin Love became an ideal compliment to James with his ability to score and rebound the ball. 

Then, there’s Kyrie. A former top overall pick himself, the breathtaking point guard provided James with a truly elite scorer to rely on. Irving provided the Game 7 dagger in 2016, a three-point basket that rivals any in the history of the Finals. Down the stretch, the teams battled through four excruciating, high-stakes minutes of scoreless basketball. Then, Kyrie nailed a 25-footer with 53 seconds left to put the Cavs ahead for good.

Both Irving and Love have carved out exceptional careers, and they belong at the heart of any Cleveland Cavaliers team collection.

Fan Favorites & Key Supporting Cast

• Kyrie Irving — unforgettable Game 7 dagger in 2016 Finals.
• Kevin Love — defensive anchor and rebounder alongside LeBron.
• Matthew Dellavedova — scrappy Finals hero, still represented in modern sets.

Legends & Collecting Deep Cuts

From Mark Price’s sharpshooting to Brad Daugherty’s All-Star presence, Cavs legends keep the team’s collecting tradition strong.

Special notes:

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas (2007 Finals run)
• Larry Nance Sr. & Jr. (rare father-son duo in franchise history)
• Shawn Kemp (short but electric Cleveland stint)

Two-time All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas had his number retired in 2012, and he remains a beloved Cavalier.  He was a core member of the early James Cavs that made the 2007 Finals. The skilled seven-footer featured in a variety of Topps sets throughout his career. 

One interesting quirk for Cleveland collectors is that the Cavaliers are one of the few franchises to have had both a father and son suit up for the franchise.

Larry Nance Sr. was a three-time All-Star who played for Cleveland from 1988 to 1994. He was also the first-ever winner of the Slam Dunk Contest in 1984. Nance’s son, Larry Jr., played for the Cavs from 2018 to 2021, and he’s making his return to the team in 2025 after signing a deal in July.

Shawn Kemp arrived in Cleveland to much fanfare in 1997, and while his time in The Land was short, he was an electric athlete at his peak, making an All-Star team in his first year in town. One of the greatest dunkers in history, he’s an excellent addition to any Cavaliers team collection. 

Collecting Your Way

Collecting Cleveland certainly means collecting King James. A player whose incredible longevity and popularity is simply unmatched, LeBron has a huge number of cards from his two-plus decades in the brightest of spotlights from which collectors can build a veritable shrine.

James ended over a half-century title drought in the city of Cleveland, and he’s a champion without whom the story of basketball itself can no longer be told. 

Beyond James, there are many other stars in their own right, from Price to Love to Kyrie, and a fun cast of characters who helped build the franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers Collecting FAQs

• What is the most valuable Cleveland Cavaliers card?
  • The 2003/04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Rookie Refractor is widely regarded as the most valuable Cavs card, especially in high grades, commanding strong prices among collectors.
• Which Cavaliers players are must-haves for collectors?
  • LeBron James is the crown jewel, but Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Mark Price, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas all have key cards that represent major moments in team history.
• Are there affordable Cavaliers cards to collect?
  • Yes, while LeBron rookies can be costly, collectors can find accessible Cavs options like 2008 Topps Chrome LeBron, Brad Daugherty refractors, or Matthew Dellavedova modern issues.
• What makes Cavaliers collecting unique?
  • The Cavs are one of the rare franchises to feature both a father-son duo (Larry Nance Sr. & Jr.), adding a special angle for team collectors.
• How did the 2016 championship impact Cavs card values?
  • LeBron and Kyrie’s 2016 Finals win significantly boosted interest in Cavaliers cards, cementing many as long-term staples in NBA hobby history.

Key Facts

• LeBron James rookies are the centerpiece of Cavs collecting.
• Kyrie Irving’s 2016 Game 7 card moments are highly sought.
• Cavs feature a rare father-son duo (Larry Nance Sr. & Jr.).
• Affordable Chrome cards offer entry points for new collectors.
• Championship history drives hobby demand.

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