It looks like nobody's job in the NBA is safe anymore, and David Griffin is the latest example. Just days after the Cleveland Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals and lost to the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers announced that they will part ways with David Griffin as their general manager. The news came out as a quite of a surprise to almost everybody in the NBA, as Griffin did a great job over the past few years and he enjoyed the support of the team's biggest star - LeBron James.
Griffin's contract ends June 30, 2017, and the Cavaliers organization has made it clear that both Griffin and the Cavs have mutually decided that the contract will not be extended.
He was hired as the general manager for the Cavaliers in 2014 and Griffin made a huge impact on the franchise winning it's first NBA title ever in 2016. Griffin made it possible for Kevin Love to come to Cleveland, and among other things, he recruited J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov.
LeBron not happy about the decision
Just a few months ago, in April to be exact, LeBron James showed his support and gave his opinion about David Griffin's potential departure from Cleveland. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin this is what LeBron said: "It makes no sense why he shouldn't get an extension. We wouldn't be in this position, obviously, without him. He's been a big piece of it."
When the Cavs organization made it clear on Monday that Griffin will no longer be the GM, LeBron James was surprised, to say the least.
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reports that LeBron is feeling “disappointed” and “concerned” about the latest situation involving Griffin's departure. Apparently, nobody from the Cavaliers organization informed LeBron about this decision even though James advocated for Griffin's extension. Shortly after the news got out, LeBron went to Twitter and shared his thoughts about the situation.
If no one appreciated you Griff I did, and hopefully all the people of Cleveland! Thanks for what u did for the team for 3 yrs! We got us 1🏆
— LeBron James (@KingJames) 20. lipnja 2017.
James acknowledged the job Griffin has done over the past three years, and we await to see what will be the next move by the Cavs front office.
It remains to be seen if the Cavaliers can bring in another guy that LeBron trusts to make good decisions in the future.
Billups the frontrunner
It is reported that the frontrunner for the Cavs GM spot is a former NBA player - Chauncey Billups. Apparently, Billups is about to meet with Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cavaliers, on Tuesday and they will discuss a potential hiring of Billups as a new general manager for the Cavaliers. Billups played 17 seasons in the NBA, and spent the prime of his career with the Detroit Pistons. He has a championship pedigree as he won the NBA title with the Pistons in 2004. But how will he fit in a new role in the front office? It remains to be seen, when and if this happens.
Sources: As David Griffin departs as Cavs -- "Just couldn't agree on future," source says - Chauncey Billups expected to emerge as candidate
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) 19. lipnja 2017.
