Cavaliers, GM Griffin split up
CLEVELAND — General manager David Griffin’s run with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over after one championship and three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.
Griffin and the team mutually parted ways Monday when owner Dan Gilbert said Griffin’s deal 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 thew eeks ahead.”
Griffin’s departure comes on the anniversary of the Cavaliers’ dramatic Game 7 victory against Golden State, capping a historic comeback that gave Cleveland its first major professional sports championship since 1964.
He’s also leaving three days before the draft — the Cavaliers are currently without a pick — and on the eve of free agency. Cleveland could have a busy summer as it looks to revamp its roster after losing to the Warriors in five games inthe most resent Finals.
A team spokesperson said Trent Redden, the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations, is also not returning. Assistant general manager Koby Altman remains with the team and is part of a group over seeing draft preparation and trade talks.
The Cavaliers reportedly have been contacted by the Indiana Pacers in a potential deal for All-Star Paul George, who will be a free agent after the 2017-18 season. The Cavaliers also are looking into a possible multiteam trade scenario in which they would acquire forward Jimmy Butler ofthe Chicago Bulls.
Griffin, 47, had been Cleveland’s GM since May 2014. He took over the role on a fulltime basis after serving as an interim GM for three months after Chris Grant’s firing.
Griffinwas in control in the team’s return to prominence after LeBron James came back from Miami. Griffin orchestrated the trade that brought All-Star Kevin Love from Minnesota, and he bolstered the roster with other trades and crafty free agent signings.
But perhaps Griffin’s biggest move was firing coach David Blatt midway through the 2015-16 season despite the Cavaliers being 30-11. Griffin didn’t think the Cavaliers were playing with the passion they needed under Blatt, and he promoted assistant Tyronn Lue, who led the Cavaliers to their first title.
Although the team scuffled at times this past season, James went out of his way to praise Griffin, even campaigning to get him an extension after he pulled off a trade to get Kyle Korver, one of the league’s best outside shooters.
But despite Griffin’s many successes, Gilbert decided they needed to go separate ways, ending a stretch of unprecedented accomplishments for the Cavaliers.
Griffin was the fourth GM to work for Gilbert, who bought the franchise in 2005 and has remained deeply engaged in all aspects of his team. That hands-on approach might have upset others, but Griffin seemed to find the right balance with his boss.