[1] In the 1996 NBA draft, the Cavaliers selected Ukrainian center Vitaly Potapenko out of Wright State University with the twelfth overall pick, and Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with the 20th overall pick;[2][3][4] however, Ilgauskas would miss the entire season due to a broken bone in his right foot.
The team played above .500 for the entire season, holding a 25–22 record at the All-Star break,[10] but started to struggle down the stretch, losing 10 of their 16 games in March.
[11] On the final day of the regular season on April 20, 1997, the Cavaliers faced off against the Washington Bullets at the Gund Arena, as both teams were fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference; the Bullets won the game, 85–81, as the Cavs missed the playoffs by finishing in fifth place in the Central Division with a 42–40 record.
[36][37] *1st round pick acquired from Washington in Mark Price deal.
[39] Roster Last transaction: September 23, 1996 Player Statistics Citation:[21] Terrell Brandon - 1997 NBA All-Star Game