Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers part ways with general manager David Griffin

Published Jun. 21, 2017 6:47 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of key decisions to make this offseason, and it appears one of them will be landing a new general manager. The Cavs have decided to part ways with David Griffin, who served as the team’s GM for three years.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert thanked Griffin for his time with the team and said the organization will continue to "aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead".

https://twitter.com/JeffZillgitt/status/876947658748956672

Gilbert is wasting no time in finding a replacement for Griffin. The Vertical reported that former NBA All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups has emerged as a leading candidate. Gilbert is scheduled to meet with Billups on Tuesday, according to ESPN.

The timing couldn’t be worse for the Cavs, who reportedly are interested in acquiring either Paul George from the Pacers or Jimmy Butler from the Bulls in potential trades. Griffin was working on a deal to land Butler as late as Monday night before the decision was made, according to TNT.

The club is also facing the possibility of losing LeBron James, who reportedly was not consulted on the Griffin decision, next offseason if he decides to sign elsewhere as a free agent. James told ESPN in April that he back Griffin and thought he deserved an extension.

"It makes no sense why he shouldn't get an extension," James said. "He's pulled every move -- he's tried to make every move happen -- to better this team to be able to compete for a championship. So we wouldn't be in this position, obviously, without him and without the guys that are here -- from the coaching staff to the players to Griff. He's been a big piece of it."

James expressed his appreciation for Griffin late Monday night.

https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/877006123357929472

The Cavs have reached the Finals in the three consecutive years since James returned to Cleveland before the 2014-15 season. The team is looking to reshape the roster after losing in five games to the Warriors in the Finals, potentially offering Kevin Love as a bargaining chip in the hopes of landing a two-way perimeter player.