<P> The Cavaliers' luck changed as they landed the number 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft . The team selected heralded forward and future NBA MVP LeBron James, a native of nearby Akron who had already risen to national stardom at St. Vincent - St. Mary High School . In 2005, the team would be sold to businessman Dan Gilbert . That year, the team also hired head coach Mike Brown and general manager Danny Ferry . The Cavaliers built a team around James and Žydrūnas Ilgauskas by adding players including Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Anderson Varajao . Under this new leadership, the Cavaliers made five straight playoffs from 2006 to 2010, advancing to at least the second round each time . The 2006--07 Cavaliers advanced to the franchise's first NBA Finals, but were swept by the more experienced San Antonio Spurs . The 2008--09 Cavaliers won a franchise record 66 games, including a franchise - best 39--2 record at home, but lost the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic . Despite the addition of four - time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal, the 2009--10 Cavaliers were unable to return to the Eastern Conference Finals after losing to the Boston Celtics in the second round . </P> <P> With the Cavaliers out of the playoffs, the focus turned to James' impending free agency . On July 8, 2010, James announced in a nationally televised one - hour special titled The Decision that he would be signing with the Miami Heat . The repercussions of this announcement left many in the city of Cleveland infuriated and feeling betrayed . After a 19--win season in 2010--11 (the 42 - win difference being the biggest single - season drop in NBA history), the Cavaliers began a rebuild around Kyrie Irving, who they selected first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft . </P> <P> In 2014, James returned to the Cavaliers after four seasons in Miami . While the Heat had a 224--88 record during James' four - year tenure and won NBA titles in 2012 and 2013, the Cavaliers went 97--215 and missed the playoffs each season . The Cavaliers made several moves to build a championship - contender around James, most notably acquiring power forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves, which created what many fans and media referred to a "Big Three" with James, Love, and Irving . The Lebron - led Cavaliers made four consecutive finals appearances in from 2015 to 2018, all against the Golden State Warriors, winning in 2016 . The 2016 NBA Championship marked the Cavaliers' first title in franchise history, as they became the first team to come back from a 3--1 deficit to win the Finals . It was also Cleveland's first championship in major professional sports since the 1964 Browns, signaling the end of the so - called Cleveland sports curse . </P> <P> The Cavaliers' roster went through many changes in the 2017--18 season, most notably the trade of Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas and other assets . Thomas was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a trade deadline overhaul that saw the Cavaliers add several young players . The following offseason, James declined his player option to rejoin the team, instead signing with the Lakers . </P>

When did the cavs win their first championship