Dan Gilbert and LeBron James have a colorful history, for lack of better words. From The Decision to the famous comic-sans letter there is no shortage of drama between the two. And now some of those tensions are boiling up again.
In the wake of the Cavaliers’ sixth loss in eight games, the most recent a 116-112 overtime loss at home to the Sacramento Kings, it is pretty evident that the team is lacking another player or two. LeBron has been very vocal in asking for more help in the form of ball handlers and playmakers, but there are several financial barriers to doing that. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst the relationship between LeBron James and Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert is strained due to differing viewpoints about payroll spending. The team is currently locked in to a payroll of $127.6 million with Gilbert paying $27 million in luxury taxes.
Gilbert knew that spending money would be a crucial aspect of this new era with James. When LeBron came back to Cleveland he asked Gilbert if unconditional spending regardless of luxury tax was something he would be willing to do, to which Gilbert agreed. The Cavaliers have spent more money than any other team since James returned, and that number is destined to grow. LeBron understands what needs to be done should Cleveland meet the Warriors in the NBA Finals for a third consecutive season, and right now is proving his point with how the team is slumping into February.
James has the perception that ownership is complacent after winning the city’s first championship in over half a century and feels the spending has slowed down. He recently commented about this when he said: “I just hope we are not satisfied as an organization”.
General manager David Griffin has reiterated that the team is absolutely driven to win more championships and that the goal of the organization is very clear. He also does not feel the team must continue to spend in order to win and that the pieces are in place. Griffin, from Windhorst:
“We can absolutely increase payroll if it’s the right piece at the right time. I’ve never once been given a mandate of any kind relative to money. We’re not going to do something where we go ask for more money unless we believe it makes us appreciably better. … As we have all along, ownership will do what needs to be done.”
The Cavaliers are in a financial bind, but do have some room to make a move. The team has appeared active in searching for a backup point guard, most recently Jameer Nelson. Additional depth on the bench to replace DeAndre Liggins or Chris Andersen, who is out for the season with a knee injury, were also discussed as possibilities. Regardless, the tensions building between LeBron James and Cavaliers ownership needs to be squashed as soon as possible whether a player is added in the near future or not.
