Cavaliers, GM Griffin to part after 3 straight trips to NBA Finals
CLEVELAND » David Griffin’s run with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over after one championship and three straight trips to the NBA Finals.
The general manager and team mutually parted ways on Monday when owner David Gilbert said Griffin’s contract will not be extended once it expires June 30.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Griff for his leadership and many contributions during his time here, including most recently, his role in the franchise’s first NBA Championship,” Gilbert said in a statement. “We have no announcement at this time related to new leadership of the Cavaliers basketball operations group, but we are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead.”
Griffin’s departure comes three days before the draft — the Cavs are currently without a pick — and on the eve of free agency.
The 47-year-old Griffin had been Cleveland’s GM since May 2014. He took over the role on a full-time basis after serving as an interim GM for three months following Chris Grant’s firing.
Griffin oversaw the team’s return to prominence after LeBron James came back from Miami. Griffin orchestrated the trade that brought Kevin Love from Minnesota, and he bolstered the Cavs’ roster with other trades and free agent signings.
Griffin was the fourth GM to work for Gilbert, who bought the Cavs in 2005.