The disconnect between Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and star LeBron James has grown to vast measures over the years. This season, it seems like their relationship has ruptured that much more, as neither Gilbert nor the front office seems willing to listen to James’ advice.
According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the Cavs have been unwilling to take any direction from the three-time champion, even after bringing a championship to the franchise for the first time in NBA history.
“For the past seven months, the Cavs have been noticeably pivoting away from James’ recommendations. He was vocal both publicly and privately in wanting Griffin to return as GM. Instead, owner Dan Gilbert replaced him days before the draft with Koby Altman, the inexperienced 35-year-old who is widely regarded as not ready for the mammoth task in front of him.
James recruited Jamal Crawford last summer to come to Cleveland, but instead they ignored him and signed rookie Cedi Osman. James told the Cavs not to trade Irving regardless of how disgruntled he appeared. Irving was under team control for two more years, and James was adamant he had no leverage.”
James tried to salvage this process by bringing in one of his closest friends in Dwyane Wade, but the experiment has not worked as expected, with the team struggling to make a dent in the East, besides a 14-game win streak surge at the start of the season that seemed to have the Cavs going in the right direction.
Gilbert and James haven’t seen eye to eye, especially upon his return, a much more determined and experienced veteran with all the leverage and championship pedigree needed to call the shots. So far this season, this clash has only helped enhance the rumors of James leaving town once again and this time likely for good.
