It has been a crazy couple of days for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they have promptly turned their focus to next season and beyond.
First, news broke the Cavs and the Indiana Pacers were engaged in talks to possibly bring Pacers’ superstar Paul George to Northeast Ohio. Next was the news Chicago Bulls’ all-star Jimmy Butler could land in Cleveland if the right deal was struck between the two franchises and a third party. The off season never fails to deliver hard-hitting rumors and updates, but the most shocking occurrence by the former world champions was parting with exceptional GM David Griffin effective immediately.
Griffin’s situation was a highly publicized one with various franchises circling for his services whilst the Cavs’ slugged it out with the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. It was well-known Griffin’s contract was expiring, but all signs and assumptions pointed to the Cavs re-signing him on a new and improved agreement given the incredible job he’s done since homegrown hero LeBron James returned to the Wine and Gold. How wrong we were, as the news broke he was departing, it didn’t just rock the franchise and its players, but the entire league was left wondering what was going on and why the Cavs let Griffin go.
Nevertheless, James himself took to twitter to salute his former colleague despite the confusion and disappointment with the decision.
Another player who admired Griffin’s work was evergreen veteran Richard Jefferson, who compared Griffin to Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein via ESPN on Tuesday.
“He’s the Theo Epstein of basketball, he ended the curse. Not just for a team, but for an entire city.”
Jefferson went on to say the whole situation was a “no-fault divorce”, before again confirming the playing group are used to an unconventional organization strategy.
“We shouldn’t be shocked after we fired our head coach when we were in first place in the middle of the season,” Jefferson said, referring to former coach David Blatt. “Still, it’s surprising.”
It was sad news for many Cavs fans who were big advocates for Griffin, but the turnaround may be even swifter than his exit. The Cavs have already scheduled a meeting with Detroit Pistons’ legend Chauncey Billups about the vacant position, and a deal could be done in the coming days.
We thank Griffin for the incredible job he did, and for all his efforts through both the ups and downs.
He left the organization with this statement.
“I am extremely excited for my next challenge in the NBA, however, Dan and I know now that are a team built largely on the concept of fit and we now at a point where the fit is not right for us to continue with one another.”
He will be missed, but hopefully the Cavs can find a suitable and worthwhile replacement.