The 2011–12 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 42nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
May 17 – The 2011 NBA Draft Lottery took place, and the Cavaliers got the first pick.June 23 – The 2011 NBA draft took place in Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center. The Cavaliers picked Kyrie Irving (#1), Tristan Thompson (#4), Milan Mačvan (#54). They also drafted Justin Harper (#32), but immediately traded him to the Orlando Magic for two future second-round picks (2013 and 2014).June 29 – The Cavs exercise the third-year option on Christian Eyenga, keeping him under contract until the 2012–13 season.June 30 – J.J. Hickson is sent to the Sacramento Kings, for Omri Casspi and a protected future first round pick.July 7 – The Cavaliers set a NBA D-League team in Canton, Ohio. The Cavs announced that they will own and control all the operations of the former Albuquerque/New Mexico Thunderbirds. On October 13, the new name, logo, colors and court design are unveiled, the Canton Charge.December 9 – Training Camp begins. The Cavs also signed with rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. They also waived Joey Graham.December 12 – Anthony Parker re-signed with the Cavaliers.December 14 – The Cavs decided to waive Baron Davis.December 16 – The Cavaliers opened their pre-season with a victory over the Detroit Pistons in The Palace of Auburn Hills.December 20 – The Cavs closed their pre-season with a loss against the Pistons in Quicken Loans Arena, with a 1-1 record.December 22 – Manny Harris is waived by the Cavs.December 26 – The Cavaliers opened their season with a loss against the Toronto Raptors in the Quicken Loans Arena.January 4 – Christian Eyenga is assigned to the Canton Charge.January 23 – The Cavs recall Christian Eyenga.February 10 – The Cavaliers sign a 10-day contract with Ben Uzoh, of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.February 21 – Manny Harris sign a 10-day contract with the Cavs.The original 2011 NBA Pre-season was canceled due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. After the lockout, the NBA created a new two game Pre-Season.
All the games through December 24 were canceled due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. A new schedule was created starting in December 25.
Kyrie Irving was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three times (December – January, February and March) and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.Rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson were selected to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars challenge.On March 31 Antawn Jamison scored his 19,000th career point in a 75–91 loss to the New York Knicks.On January 31 Kyrie Irving made his first game-winning basket against the Boston Celtics.Injuries, surgeries and absences
Semih Erden had a fracture in his right thumb and missed the first seven games of the regular season. In April, he sprained his right ankle and missed the remainder of the season.Kyrie Irving suffered a concussion during a game against the Miami Heat on February 7 and missed the following 3 games.Anderson Varejão broke his wrist on February 10 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks and missed the remainder of the season. 