With reports agreeing on Tuesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers had reached an agreement in principle for Mike Brown to return as the head coach, questions arose around the league about the relation to LeBron James' 2014 free agency and the potential for him to return to Cleveland, NBA executives told CBS Sports' Ken Berger.
Mike Brown’s reported return to Cavs adds questions to potential LeBron James signing
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly agreed to bring coach Mike Brown back, but it might risk the team signing Miami Heat star LeBron James in 2014.
One NBA executive told Berger that James “isn’t a fan” of his former Cavs coach, who coached James to an NBA Finals appearance in 2007. The duo ended their time together after the 2010 season, when Cleveland recorded its second 60-win regular season in a row, but again failed to make the championship series.
It’s still unclear whether James and Brown have put any differences in the past.
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Earlier this season, James told ESPN that he didn't think Brown got a fair shake in Los Angeles after the Lakers fired him five games into the 2012-13 season:
“I think it’s unfortunate,” James told ESPN. “I just don’t think he got a fair shake, honestly. With the shortened season last year, and five games into this year, he didn’t really get a full season.”
James also told ESPN after the firing of his former coach that he would reach out to Brown.
Brown's initial firing by Cavs general manager Chris Grant was possibly an attempt to satisfy James enough to stay in Cleveland, the Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd reports. James didn't, instead choosing to sign with the Miami Heat on a four-year deal that expires after next season.
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