The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Keeping James happy a priority
Cavs need to prevent LeBron from leaving
What’s done cannot be undone, as Lady Macbeth said long before June 19 when David Griffin walked away as Cavaliers general manager.
So now the only thing that matters is whether LeBron James will be happy enough with the new setup to stick around after next season.
The new setup is expected to have Chauncey Billups as president of basketball operations, according to numerous reports. Billups was a five-time All-Star in a 17-year NBA career. He is a friend of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and has a close relationship with Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Billups retired as a player in 2014 and now works as a television analyst.
The line on Billups’ resume detailing his front office experience is blank because he has none, although he was praised for his leadership in his playing days.
Still, why someone with a net worth of $5.9 billion would make someone with no front office experience president of his basketball operation is “beyond my apprehension,” as a former Browns wide receiver, who shall
“James can be a free agent next summer. Whether he re-signs with the Cavaliers or heads to Los Angeles could depend on what the new management team does to improve the roster.”
go unnamed once said.
It seems the same as assuming a passenger with 1 million frequent flyer miles can step into the cockpit and land a 747. Billups interviewed for the general manager’s job in Atlanta and didn’t get it.
Billups would likely hire an experienced general manager to do the real work of acquiring players. Justin Zanik, former assistant general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the front-runner for the job.
Follow this string to see the connection between Billups and Zanik: Billups’ agent is head of ASM Sports, Andy Miller. Zanik used to work for ASM Sports. Miller is Lue’s agent.
A neat little package, tied with a wine and gold bow, but can they fix the Cavaliers roster to challenge to the Warriors in another NBA Finals?
Griffin will always be remembered fondly for putting together a roster that advanced to three NBA Finals and won one championship, but the fracture between him and Gilbert won’t hurt the team if Billups and Zanik can make the Cavaliers good enough to compete with the Warriors. Whether that means trading Kevin Love for Paul George from the Pacers or Jimmy Butler from the Bulls or making another move will put the new front office to the test quickly with the draft June 22.
James, as he has proven many times over the years, is very savvy. He tweeted his support of Griffin after news broke Griffin was leaving over differences with Gilbert, but he did not slam Gilbert.
“If no one appreciated you Grif I did, and hopefully all the people of Cleveland!” the tweet read. “thanks for what you did for 3 yrs! We got us 1 (trophy)”
James can be a free agent next summer.
Whether he re-signs with the Cavaliers or heads to Los Angeles could depend on what the new management team does to improve the roster. James will be 33 in December and doesn’t have time for an inexperienced front office to learn from its mistakes.
The situation seems to be changing constantly. Bleacher Report is saying the Pacers are trying to create a bidding war between the Cavs and — get this — the Warriors for George. The story goes on to say George might not be dealt until the trading deadline in February since George has made it clear he wants to play for the Lakers starting in the 2018-19 season.
The only certainty is the Pacers and Bulls are not trying to do the Cavaliers any favors. Each will get the most they can by trading their star player, and if that means dealing with another team, tough luck for the Cavs.
It won’t matter who is running the show in the Cavaliers front office if James leaves next summer. He and Griffin are very tight. Maybe Griffin knows something no one else but James knows.
Contact Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald. com; On Twitter: @jsproinsider.