The NBA’s Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers have been fairly quiet this offseason, but they did manage to make a few moves. Shortly after their re-signing of sharpshooter Kyle Korver to a three-year, $22 million deal earlier this month, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and assistant general manager Koby Altman decided to bring on veteran point guard José Calderón and forward Jeff Green.
As most fans of the team know, the Cavaliers were involved in trade discussions with several of this summer’s free agents, including Paul George, Jamal Crawford, and Jimmy Butler — all players who have since signed with new teams.
On the day of his departure from the Cavs, former general manager David Griffin was believed to have been close to finalizing a deal that would have brought Butler to Cleveland. However, those talks quickly fizzled after the front office breakup.
According to a report from Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY, LeBron James, who can become a free agent next year, is less than pleased with how this offseason has played out for the wine and gold.
“Further exacerbating James’ frustration is the Cavs were close to making a deal for then-Chicago Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler the day Gilbert decided to mutually part ways with Griffin and (Trent) Redden, two people familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the negotiations.”
Not only did they miss the metaphorical boat on several game-changing free agents this summer, the Cavs also missed on Chauncey Billups, who was said to have been the No. 1 candidate for the team’s front office vacancy. Now, most signs are pointing towards a Koby Altman promotion.
There is not a soul on Flat Earth who knows exactly what James, now entering his 15th season in the association, will choose to do next summer. However, there is no doubt that all of these seemingly small details are starting to add up in the back of his mind.