The Cleveland Cavaliers know they don’t have enough firepower to compete with the Golden State Warriors. The 2017 NBA Finals was an eye opener for the Cavaliers franchise as it proved the team has to make some moves to keep up with the reigning NBA champions.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, the Eastern Conference powerhouse will have to retool without general manager David Griffin. Amid all the trade rumors surrounding the Cavaliers interest in acquiring Paul George or Jimmy Butler, the Cleveland brass have agreed to part ways with Griffin, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
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) June 19, 2017
And as was expected, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert interviewed Billups for the GM job on Tuesday via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
As was expected, Dan Gilbert interviewed Chauncey Billups for the Cavs GM vacancy in Detroit today, sources tell ESPN.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 20, 2017
The timing of this move by the Cavaliers is interesting, to say the least. Cleveland has been mentioned in a number of trade rumors over the last couple of days with talk of the team wanting to shake things up in order to compete with the Warriors.
Griffin’s sudden departure makes the team’s next move uncertain. Cleveland appears to be determined to land another star player like George or Butler to play alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, but it remains to be seen whether Griffin leaving changes the team’s direction or current trade talks during in the NBA offseason.
The front office shakeup in Cleveland also impacts the intentions of the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson and company could make a serious play for George before the NBA Draft on Thursday, and with the Cavaliers brass in disarray, the Lakers may have the edge in any trade discussions involving the perennial All-Star from the Indiana Pacers.