As if there wasn’t enough drama in Cleveland already this season, the Cavaliers are now the subject of another unusual story. As Dan Feldman of NBC Sports relays, former Cavs assistant Jim Boylan has sued the team, along with owner Dan Gilbert and Koby Altman, for age discrimination.
Boylan’s lawsuit claims that Tyronn Lue left Boylan a voicemail informing him that Altman and the Cavaliers wouldn’t be picking up his option for 2018/19 since they wanted to “go younger.” Boylan subsequently had a conversation with Altman during which the GM confirmed that the Cavs wanted a younger coach, suggesting that the decision to move on from Boylan had nothing to do with his performance, per the suit.
The Cavaliers responded to the lawsuit today, calling it “frivolous” and referring to it as a “shameless cash grab.” Pointing out that Boylan simply had an option declined and wasn’t fired, the Cavs’ statement accused the assistant coach’s lawyers of attempting to shame the franchise into a settlement by releasing Lue’s voicemail.
As we wait to see what tomorrow brings in Cleveland, let’s round up a few more Central notes…
- Justin Holiday is playing some of the best basketball of his NBA career this season for the Bulls, which could make him an intriguing trade chip, writes Michael Walton of NBC Sports Chicago. K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune suggested earlier this week that Holiday and Robin Lopez – two veterans on expiring contracts – are available “all day, every day for the right asset,” though any trades would probably happen closer to February’s deadline.
- Bulls lottery pick Wendell Carter Jr. continues to take positive steps forward in his development, with head coach Fred Hoiberg indicating this week that the rookie “can be a great anchor for us.” Mark Strotman of NBC Sports Chicago has the story and the quotes.
- Speaking to Matt Velazquez of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bucks GM Jon Horst explained why his team exercised its 2019/20 rookie scale options on Thon Maker and D.J. Wilson.
- Declining Henry Ellenson‘s fourth-year option for 2019/20 doesn’t necessarily mean that the Pistons plan on moving on from him at season’s end, writes Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
The one thing I give credit to the bulls is that they always play their young guys. They threw Wendell in the fire since day 1 and he is developing nicely. The magic need to take notes.
And now we know the real reason Tyronn Lue was fired.
I’d like to think any professional wouldn’t leave a voicemail saying that their option isn’t being picked up. How about a voicemail that says “give me a call”?
As if anyone can actually shame the Cavs. Sorry but that ship has sailed. The Cavs (organization) has brought so much shame to itself over the last decade nobody can conceivably move the needle at this point.