Despite their imminent success, pulling off three straight trades to rejuvenate an aging roster, the Cleveland Cavaliers relentlessly refused to move their Brooklyn Nets pick as their only sign of leverage.
The front office (read as “owner Dan Gilbert”) had put the Brooklyn first-round pick as the only untouchable asset in trade conversations, given James’ unwillingness to commit to being a Cavalier at any point in the offseason or during this NBA season.
“Gilbert and James didn’t meet again until opening night against Boston, hours prior to tipoff inside Quicken Loans Arena,” wrote ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “James has declined to commit to Cleveland beyond this season, which is part of the reason Altman had come to James with trades that didn’t include the Brooklyn Nets lottery pick acquired in the Kyrie Irving deal with Boston.”
Woj then shed some light on general manager Koby Altman and his key tasks upon taking the job after former GM David Griffin was fired, and a somewhat unsuccessful search for a replacement — forcing Gilbert to promote from within.
“Six months after his promotion to GM, Altman’s marching orders were these: Bring on younger, athletic players under contract or control beyond the 2017-18 season and work to soothe a splintered locker room.”
The Cavs for once were divided, as some thought if there was indeed a reason to leave a team led by James, the best player in the league. Most on the team were keen on Irving, which posed a problem with a bothered James that had now lost the Robin to his Batman in the offseason, only getting in return a half-healthy Isaiah Thomas.
Altman’s consult with James only aided to the Cavs taking the right direction and centering their decisions around their cornerstone player, as well as securing youth for the future.
