On Monday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert parted ways with GM David Griffin, who was up for an extension. Griffin had been instrumental in bringing the Cavaliers’ star player, LeBron James, back to Cleveland. The executive also built a championship team by shrewdly trading for Kevin Love and cleverly filling out the Cavaliers roster over the years with key ancillary players like Kyle Korver, Deron Williams, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Channing Frye. He did all of this with creativity under considerable budgetary constraints. Unsurprisingly, James had long been an outspoken advocate for Griffin to continue at his GM post. According to Brian Windhorst, LBJ was not notified before Gilbert decided to let Griffin go (link via Twitter). Naturally, this seemed to upset James (link via Twitter).
Should Gilbert have consulted LeBron before getting rid of LBJ’s guy? Is it prudent for an owner to do what he can to make his superstar, who is arguably the best player of all-time, happy? LeBron James left Cleveland once before. Could behavior like this from the owner fuel LBJ’s already potentially wandering eye? Conversely, do you believe that players need not be involved in front office decisions like this one? Should players be divorced from personnel decisions?
We would love to see your thoughts reflected in the comments section.
I think players should get to voice their opinions on GM hires but they shouldn’t get to decide
I think any other player I’d understand not telling them first. But dan Gilbert forgets that it’s Lebron, and he has too much influence, where he could wreck havoc if he wanted to do that to the team next season when he’s a free agent.
LeBron will leave for a team he can get his group of friends on after next year. One with the cap space and a front office group that will let it happen
I mean Gilbert already tried the whole “consult Lebron” thing the first time. Lebron asked for terrible players and built a terrible team and then he left for Miami.
Part of the reason Gilbert was so upset and unprepared is that he was hamstrung by all the players Lebron asked for.
Lol looks like history was about to repeat itself and Dan was like “nah”. I’m sure Mr. Gilbert was wondering why he was gonna be paying Thompson $80 million dollars to get outrebounded by Steph Curry, if Deron Williams will ever make a shot, and why Channing Frye is still on the team when he remembered it was by request of King James and done by his guy Griffin. He also hears the rumors about LeBron wanting to bounce next year if they can’t beat the Warriors and wondering if that luxury tax he’s paying is worth it or not.
The owner may choose to consult players if he feels so inclined to but there’s nothing wrong with making executive moves like this without notice.
He already knows how LeBron feels so why ask him again? This is Gilbert’s team and it will be long after LeBron is gone.
The fact that this article exists is a sign that LeBron has too much say already as a PLAYER. He is still just a player, he can do what he wants when he owns a team.