The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to one of the best starts in NBA history—and the best in franchise history. Their 15-0 start is tied for the second-best winning streak of all time to begin a season, right behind the legendary 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who started 24-0 en route to a record-breaking 73-9 record. Unfortunately for those Warriors, they ended up on the wrong side of history after squandering a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, falling short to none other than…the Cleveland Cavaliers. That remains Cleveland’s only championship to date. With this year’s Cavs squad looking primed to make another run, it got us wondering: What are those 2015-16 Cavs up to today, nearly a decade later?

Matthew Dellavedova
“Delly,” known for his gritty defense during the Finals against Steph Curry, is still playing professionally. After a brief return to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings during the 2022-23 season, he rejoined Melbourne United in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). In the 2024-25 season, Dellavedova has been a key contributor, averaging 10.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from the field. Dellavedova is also a four-time Olympian, having represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists per game
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 3.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game

Channing Frye
Channing Frye retired as a Cavalier in 2019 after a solid 15-year NBA career. However, he didn’t leave basketball entirely behind. Today, he co-hosts the popular podcast Road Trippin’ alongside former teammate Richard Jefferson and makes occasional appearances on NBA TV. Recently, he made headlines for criticizing Portland Trail Blazers player Deandre Ayton’s effort during a game. Beyond basketball, Frye has immersed himself in the wine industry as a founding partner of Chosen Family Wines, which he runs with former Cavs teammate Kevin Love.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 6.7 points, 2.4 rebounds

Kyrie Irving
The man who sealed the deal for these 2015-16 Cavs and hit one of the clutchest shots in NBA history to secure the Land’s first and only NBA ring, Kyrie is still in his prime, starring for the Dallas Mavericks. He’s known as perhaps the best ball handler to ever touch a court—but off the court, his philanthropy is also noteworthy. He’s a trailblazer and well on his way to the Hall whenever he decides to hang up his Antas. But for now, he’s still carving out his legacy on the hardwood. He’s one of the best to ever lace ‘em up.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 19.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 25.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists

Timofey Mozgov
Timofey Mozgov last played in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets in 2018. After being waived by the Orlando Magic in 2019, he had brief stints overseas but has mostly stayed out of the public eye. Hopefully, he’s still enjoying some of that $64 million contract that sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: Minimal contributions (1 point per game in limited minutes)

Iman Shumpert
Iman Shumpert has remained in the public eye post-NBA. Regularly appearing on podcasts and media outlets that blend basketball and hip-hop culture, Shumpert also launched a series on ESPN+ and Hulu called Taking One for the Team. Beyond media ventures, Shumpert won another championship to go along with his 2016 ring — Dancing with the Stars in 2021. Though he last suited up in 2021 for the Brooklyn Nets, in a recent interview with RG, he made it clear that if the right situation came along, he’d be ready to go. “I don't think I'll ever go on a podium and say, 'I'm retiring from basketball,'" he says. 

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: Minimal contributions (~3 points and ~2 rebounds per game)

Mo Williams
After retiring from playing, Mo Williams joined Cal State Northridge as an assistant coach in 2018. In May 2020, he took over as head coach for Alabama State University’s basketball team and later became head coach at Jackson State University in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. He continues to lead Jackson State today. In October 2024, he was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions as both a player and coach.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 8.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: Minimal contributions (~1 point per game in limited minutes)

Richard Jefferson
After retiring in 2018, Richard Jefferson transitioned into a successful broadcasting career. He’s one of the top NBA analysts for ESPN, known for his insightful commentary and engaging personality. As mentioned above, he also hosts Road Trippin’ with Channing Frye.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, no significant assist stats

J.R. Smith
J.R.’s last time hitting the NBA court was in the bubble (where he won a ring with the Lakers in 2020). In 2021, he enrolled at the renowned HBCU North Carolina A&T, and joined the university’s golf team. J.R. has been very forthcoming about his HBCU experience and has become one of the biggest HBCU advocates in our culture. And to the naysayers thinking J.R.’s college is a ploy, think again—he has excelled both athletically and academically, earning a 4.0 GPA in his first semester and “North Carolina A&T Academic Athlete of the Year” honors.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists

Dahntay Jones
Now known as “Coach Jones,” Dahntay has transitioned into coaching and currently serves as one of the top assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he has been contributing since 2020. Focused on player development and video analysis, his role involves mentoring young players and assisting with game preparation.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: Played only one regular-season game (no notable stats)
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 1.1 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists per game

James Jones
James Jones has found success as a front-office executive since retiring after the 2016-17 season. He is currently the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Phoenix Suns, where he helped build the 2021 NBA Finals team and continues to maintain a championship-contending roster.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 3.7 points, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: Minimal contributions (~0–1 point per game in limited minutes)

Jordan McRae
The 6’6” swingman is still playing professional basketball at a high level. McRae currently suits up for Givova Scafati Basket in Italy’s top professional league.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 4.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1 assist
2015-16 Playoff Stats: Did not play meaningful playoff minutes

Kevin Love
Kevin Love continues his NBA career as a veteran leader for the Miami Heat while maintaining his status as one of basketball’s most outspoken mental health advocates. Off-court, Love is deeply involved in Chosen Family Wines with Channing Frye and remains one of the league’s foremost wine enthusiasts. His contributions to mental health awareness have made him an important voice beyond sports.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 16.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson is back where it all started—Cleveland. After bouncing around various teams since his championship days, Thompson now serves as a key veteran presence on this young Cavs squad hoping to replicate his success from nine seasons ago.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 7.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 6.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists

LeBron James
LeBron James—the prodigy from Akron—continues to defy Father Time as he leads the Los Angeles Lakers while rewriting NBA history books seemingly every night. Despite battling minor injuries in his 20th season, he is averaging 23.7 points per game while mentoring younger players and becoming half of the first father-son duo to share an NBA court with his son Bronny James. Beyond the game, LeBron’s influence extends into a realm of cultural dominance—his media ventures like The SpringHill Company, philanthropic efforts like his I Promise School, and social activism have cemented him as one of most influential people to grace the planet. No hyperbole. He’s the all-time league leader in minutes played, points scored, 30-point games, the list goes on. On any given night, he’s liable to play against someone who wasn’t even born when he first stepped foot in the league—and drive the lane and flush a contested off-hand windmill on ‘em. Nevertheless, LeBron is crafting a post-basketball legacy that is all but guaranteed to be as monumental as his illustrious career. The King’s reign is far from over, and his impact will echo for generations to come. Let’s enjoy him while we can.

2015-16 Regular Season Stats: 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists
2015-16 Playoff Stats: 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists