King James Gospel
Fansided

David Griffin: Top 5 moves as Cleveland Cavaliers GM

By Tevin Williams

Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love (left) and general manager David Griffin pose for photographers at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin talks with the media before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin talks with the media before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite not getting signed to a long-term extension, David Griffin helped build the Cavs into the most dominant team in the East.

David Griffin played an integral role in the Cleveland Cavaliers success over the past three seasons. Being an NBA general manager is not an easy job. GM’s often deal with impatient owners and fans and are charged with the task of building a team around advanced analytics, while also balancing chemistry.

Dan Gilbert has owned the Cavaliers for 12 years, going through four general managers in the same amount of time. He doesn’t seem to be a big fan of signing GM’s to lucrative extensions.

Tyronn Lue received a 5-year contract with a $7 million a year salary. Tristan Thompson makes $15 million a year, and J.R. Smith isn’t far behind with a $13 million salary. Those contracts are well deserved. Yet, when it was time to pay Griff, the man who put it all together, the money didn’t flow so abundantly.

Griffin wasn’t re-signed, despite LeBron James’ endorsement

Despite sometimes criticizing the team for being too “top heavy”, LeBron James appreciated what Griff brought to Cleveland. James told ESPN in April that he expects Griffin to get an extension with the Cavs.

"“It makes no sense why he shouldn’t get an extension. 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 showed his appreciation for Griffin’s services after it was announced that he was leaving the team via Twitter.

Richard Jefferson was “shocked” by the news that Griffin and the Cavs had decided to part ways. Jefferson compared Griffin to Boston Red Sox executive, Theo Epstein. Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

"“He’s the Theo Epstein of basketball. He ended the curse. Not just for a team, but for an entire city.”"

In honor of the championship that Griffin helped bring to the city of Cleveland, here are his 5 biggest signings as the GM of the Cleveland Cavaliers.