Cleveland Cavaliers meeting with David Griffin behind the scenes

Cleveland Cavaliers ownership has been meeting with general manager David Griffin behind the scenes.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has met several times with Cavs ownership.

Griffin, whose contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers expires this offseason, is being targeted by the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks for their top front office positions. Last week, Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler said that despite their interest in Griffin, they hadn’t been granted permission to interview Griffin until the season is over.

There have two reports on Griffin’s contract situation from Fox Sports’ basketball insider Sam Amico: one stating that the situation was “not good”  and the other stating that Dan Gilbert has been telling partners he’s willing to offer Griffin a substantial position and salary.

When comparing the past reports of Griffin’s contract situation with Windhorst’s most recent statement, it looks like there is at least some mutual interest between Griffin and the Cavs ownership. With Griffin’s track record during his tenure as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, it’s hard to see that the Cavs wouldn’t value him in that role.

However, the Cavs do run a business and that’s why it should come as no surprise that The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Gilbert might be willing to move on from Griffin and promote within rather than pay a substantial figure for Griffin.

Here’s the quote from that article:

"There’s been a consistent belief inside and outside the Cavaliers’ organization that Griffin will aggressively pursue the Magic’s president job because of Cleveland’s unwillingness to offer him a market-level contract. Through the years, most in the employ of Gilbert believe that he has increasingly devalued the position of GM in his mind, believing that he can replace Griffin the way he did Chris Grant and Danny Ferry within the Cavaliers: promoting from within and paying less salary."

Griffin, who could fetch a pretty penny on the open market, may not be willing to re-sign for nickels and dimes.

With that, the prospect of having a more significant title and more respect with that position (people often consider LeBron James to be the “real” general manager), there’s no certainty that Griffin will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nonetheless, that the two sides have been meeting as a good sign as it’s unlikely they’d be meeting if there was no possibility that Griffin would return.

Related Story: Elfrid Payton should be the Cavs top trade target

What do you think is happening with David Griffin and the Cleveland Cavaliers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.