Cavs GM David Griffin: 'We intend to keep this group together and see what we're capable of'
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Shortly after the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrated their first NBA title, one that ended Cleveland’s 52-year title drought, general manager David Griffin’s mind started to drift elsewhere.
His focus turned to the future, thinking about what’s next for the Cavaliers and the plethora of roster decisions that lie ahead.
“We’ve been really fortunate,” Griffin said during an ESPN Radio interview with Marc Stein, Brian Windhorst and Amin Elhassan. “Ownership has invested in this group to such a huge degree. When we were the largest taxpayer in the league last year and I think the second highest ever, there were times during the year where I felt really, really bad about spending that much of their money. I do think you saw the core of our team, it fits together and it’s capable of doing some very special things and I do think we would like to keep it together.”
J.R. Smith, Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov, James Jones, Dahntay Jones and LeBron James will be free agents. There’s no reason to sweat James’ decision. He already informed our Joe Vardon of his plans to return.
But with the rising salary cap and teams loaded with cash, what will that mean for other pieces of the championship puzzle?
Both Dellavedova and Smith could receive big contract offers, which would lead to tough decisions.
Free agency is just one part of the equation for the cap-strapped Cavaliers. There’s also the question about whether Richard Jefferson, who has teased fans about holding off retirement, will play one more year. Then, of course, Kevin Love’s future remains a constant talking point despite Tyronn Lue expressing his desire for the starting power forward to return.
“I think our best basketball is in front of us because we finally organically grew to the point that we were ready to achieve something together,” Griffin said. “I expect you’re going to see better play from Kyrie Irving who I think took a huge jump as both an individual talent and a winner throughout these playoffs. I think Kevin’s fit with us is much more clearly defined. We intend to keep this group together and see what we’re capable of.”
After winning 57 games and plowing through the Eastern Conference, the Cavs rallied from 3-1 down against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, becoming the first team in history to accomplish that feat.
“Everything about us has been record breaking and history making,” Griffin said. “We’re a very sensational team for good and bad. We’re probably the team that can look the worst of the elite teams in the league at times and we’re a team that can reach heights that very few teams have ever reached during the playoffs. I think we’ve had such a disparity between our good and bad versions of ourselves and it really comes down to focus and appropriate fear.
“I think there’s times we think we’re better than we are, but we’ve always risen against adversity. We’ve proven time and time again that if you put us down we’re going to rally. I just knew there was no kind of team that could win, end the drought and come back from 3-1 for the first time in NBA history — there was no team that could have done it other than a team like ours that is really dramatic. It was a moment I felt our team had been — I felt like we had almost raised ourselves to be ready for that moment.”
The parade is over. But the celebration will continue. Griffin will get his chance to soak it in. Just not yet. He has more work to do this off-season.
Griffin has made all the right moves in the last two years — from free agent signings to trades to a coaching change midway through the season. Those decisions led to a championship. But many are now wondering the same thing, including Irving.
“What’s next?” the point guard asked at the championship rally.
The Cavs have been through a lot since 2014. The latest question is one that will largely be answered by Griffin. It appears he’s done making big changes. For now.
Cavs GM David Griffin: "We intend to keep this group together and see what we"re capable of"
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