Cavaliers have a lot to sort out
Cleveland in disarray after losing GM
Nothing ever seems good enough for Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.
Not a championship. Not three consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals. Not a rapt fan base. Not being forgiven by LeBron James.
After a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals and facing a pivotal offseason for his franchise, Gilbert decided Monday to part ways with general manager David Griffin, the architect of the most successful run in team history.
Gilbert, who has gone through four GMs in 12 years in Cleveland, made the risky move as the Cavaliers are trying to revamp their roster while James’ freeagency clock is ticking down toward next summer when his contract expires.
“We are now at a point where the fit is not right for us to continue with one another,” Griffin said in a statement that sounded like something he might say about a playerbeing released.
The timing of Griffin’s exit couldn’t be worse. The Cavaliers are preparing for the draftThursday night without any picks and they reportedly are exploring trades to land either Paul George or Jimmy Butler in an attempt to add another All-Star and closethe gap on Golden State.
Gilbert reportedly met with former All-Star guard Chauncey Billups Tuesday about a position in Cleveland’s front office. The meetingtook place in Detroit.
Hornets
Charlotte reportedly reached an agreement to acquire center Dwight Howard fromthe Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are sending Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in the NBA draft to Charlotte for center Miles Plumlee, shooting guard Marco Belinelli and the 41st pick.
Lakers
Los Angeles reportedly agreed to trade point guard D’Angelo Russell and highpriced center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for big man Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in the upcomingdraft.
Bulls
Dwyane Wade reportedly told Chicago that he is exercising his $23.8 million option and will remain with the teamnext season.
Timberwolves
Minnesota is getting into the jersey ad game with a Fitbit patch in a three-year deal. The Timberwolves announced the marketing collaboration for the team’s first jersey patch. Fitbit also will be featured in the newly renovatedTarget Center.
Elsewhere
The rebranding of what had been known as the NBA Development League went into effect. It’s a partnership with Gatorade, in a deal that was announced back in February, but the new name is no abbreviation: What was often called the DLeague is now officially the “NBA G League.” The league also will have a record 26 teams for the coming season.