LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert have different opinions on payroll spending, according to ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst, leading to tension that has strained their relationship.
LeBron James wants Dan Gilbert to spend even more money on the Cavaliers, per report
The Cavaliers spent more money than any team over the past three seasons, but LeBron sees roster holes that only money can solve.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
When James returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, he did so after Gilbert agreed to spend as much as needed on talent toward building a championship team, according to Windhorst. In the last three seasons combined, Cleveland has spent more than any other team in salaries and luxury taxes.
But as James’ Cavaliers have slumped, his cries for an improved roster have grown. Cleveland has lost six of its last eight games, capped by losses to an Anthony Davis-less Pelicans team and Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Three of Cleveland’s six losses have come against sub-.500 Western Conference teams, as well as a San Antonio squad without both Tony Parker and Pau Gasol. Cavs general manager David Griffin says the team needs to improve itself before management debates adding a veteran player to the roster.
“We believe in this team at a deep level, and we need to get better from within and play better, quite frankly,” Griffin said. “We need to have a greater sense of urgency and start to develop a championship identity. I think it’s clear we have not been doing that.”
Windhorst’s report comes on the heels of James’ public outburst on the team’s failure to improve the roster that won last year’s NBA championship.
The Warriors re-upped over the summer, adding ex-MVP Kevin Durant, as well as veterans big men in David West, Zaza Pachulia, and JaVale McGee. The Cavaliers allowed Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov to walk in free agency, and only acquired rookie Kay Felder and Mike Dunleavy, who was later dealt along with Mo Williams in the deal that landed Kyle Korver.
James wants a ball handler — only Felder and guard DeAndre Liggins back up Irving. J.R. Smith’s broken thumb doesn’t make matters worse, as he’s expected to miss at least another two months recovering.
“No disrespect to DeAndre and to Kay, you think we can rely on them to help us win a playoff game right now?” James said. “And it’s no disrespect to them. But it’s like, it’s not fair to them.”
Is James asking for too much this time?
There are a few players available on the market that could address LeBron’s desire for a “f****g playmaker,” including Nate Robinson, Lance Stephenson, Mario Chalmers, and Norris Cole. Whether Gilbert wants to write that check is another question.
Cleveland has a roster spot available from the Korver trade, but it would cost an arm and a leg to fill it. The Cavaliers have nearly $130 million allocated in player salaries this season. The NBA’s luxury tax would charge them $3.25 for every $1 spent on a free agent.
For example, the minimum salary for a player with five years of experience this season costs a hair over $1.1 million. That contract, after taxes, would cost Cleveland $4.7 million.
Another route the Cavaliers could take is adding a player via trade.
Cleveland currently has five trade exceptions, including one worth $4.8 million (Korver trade) and one worth $4.4 million (via Anderson Varejao trade). Those can be used to acquire a player making that much or less via trade, though only one trade exception can be used per deal.
But there’s a dark cloud hanging on the horizon
The Cavs probably want to appease James’ request before they end up in a situation similar to Miami.
In the summer of 2013, the Heat used the amnesty provision to waive sharpshooter Mike Miller — a move that saved the team about $17 million.
“LeBron thought it was an unnecessary change,” Miller said, who James called “as close as teammates than any I’ve had in my career,” to Cleveland.com. “ I think he was disappointed because he understands legacies and he understands what he wants to do in life. That’s what makes him special.”
James left Miami the next season, after losing an NBA Finals matchup to San Antonio. He’s under contract with Cleveland through the 2017-18 season, but if the Cavaliers aren’t meeting The King’s standard of free agent spending and roster building, the threat of him leaving again will persist.
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