Cavaliers, general manager Griffin mutually part ways
CLEVELAND — One year ago, David Griffin celebrated the biggest win in Cavaliers history.
He marked the anniversary Monday by walking away from the team.
Griffin’s three-year run as general manager with Cleveland is over after one championship and three straight trips to the NBA Finals.
After guiding the team through its most successful stretch, Griffin mutually parted ways with the Cavs as owner Dan Gilbert said the GM’s contract will not be extended once it expires June 30.
Griffin’s departure comes on the one-year anniversary of the Cavs’ dramatic Game 7 win over Golden State.
He’s also leaving three days before the draft and on the eve of free agency.
With Griffin out, the Cavs enter a critical juncture without a seasoned executive making the calls. The Cavs will try to improve their roster this summer as superstar LeBron James enters his final season under contract.
A team spokesman 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 overseeing draft preparation and trade talks.
A few hours after Cleveland’s summer was thrown into chaos, James offered his support to Griffin on Twitter.
“If no one appreciated you Griff I did, and hopefully all the people of Cleveland!” James wrote. “Thanks for what u did for the team for 3 yrs! We got us 1 [trophy].”
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.