Cleveland Cavaliers

Grant Gilbert, the 23-year-old son of Cleveland Cavaliers governor Dan Gilbert, has reportedly assumed a larger role within the organization since his father's stroke in May 2019 and is "next in line" to take over the franchise.

Multiple sources confirmed the eventual succession plan to Jason Lloyd and Joe Vardon of The Athletic on Tuesday.

"He's definitely gonna take over," one source said. "His dad's not able, and he's the next in line."

Another added Grant, who serves as the club's director of content and brand strategy, is already "running the show behind the scenes," while a third source noted he's got "zero experience" in leading such a large operation but has been seeking increased responsibility.

The Cavs "vigorously refute" any plans are in place for Grant to take over for his father.

"[Dan's] presence may not physically be in Cleveland like it was prior to [the stroke], coming into 30-plus games a year or whatever it was, but his presence in the business, in the culture, and kind of how we're operating, he's absolutely still the author of all those things," president of business operations Nick Barlage told The Athletic.

Grant told Lloyd and Vardon he's not on a "linear path" to the front office's top role and doesn't have any decision-making power when it comes to basketball operations.

"I'm involved to the extent that I'm in the know," he said. "I don't try to help make decisions. I don't even pretend to try to make decisions when I know I don't have the credibility or experience to do so."

The Athletic report noted Grant, who graduated from the University of Michigan last May, has made "increased" contact with the team's front-office basketball executives while his dad is in Florida for the winter continuing his recovery.

That includes Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman, but Grant said those conversations typically don't revolve around trade ideas or free-agent signings.

"He and I have always had a good relationship," Grant said. "We text every day about stuff that has nothing to do with Cavs basketball."

Dan, 59, acquired a majority ownership stake in the franchise in March 2005. He quickly became one of the NBA's most hands-on executives, but he's been less visible since the stroke.

Two of his business partners, Jay Farner and Matt Rizik, have stepped in to preside over many of the duties Gilbert had previously handled, per Lloyd and Vardon.

The team also has two minority owners, Cleveland businessman Gordon Gund and singer Usher Raymond.

With the future of the franchise unsettled, it's worth noting Cavs legend LeBron James, who guided the team to its first NBA title in 2016, is an Ohio native who's expressed interest in NBA ownership.

"My goal is to own an NBA franchise," James told reporters last week. "It'll be sooner than later."

The four-time NBA MVP currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and continues to perform at an All-Star level at age 36, suggesting it may be a while before he's ready to end his playing career.

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly plan to keep center JaVale McGee for the rest of the season if they can't move him before the 2021 NBA trade deadline on Thursday. 

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Tuesday the Cavs "wouldn't be interested" in buying out the remainder of McGee's contract to make him a free agent if they can't find a trade partner.

The Cavaliers acquired McGee in a November 2020 trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's played well in a limited reserve role, averaging 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 15.2 minutes. He's also shooting 52.1 percent from the field across 33 appearances and served as a leader for a young Cavs squad, a role the three-time NBA champion said he takes "extremely serious." 

"We'll definitely miss [him] if he's gone," guard Collin Sexton said of McGee, per Fedor. "But hopefully he's here with us until the end of the season. He's not one to be afraid to let us know if we're messing up. That's the leadership that we need, and he also leads by example."

McGee, who's in the final season of a two-year, $8.2 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, explained he's become accustomed to trade rumors over the years, per Fedor:

"It's definitely hard when you're in the trade talks as a younger player, but as an older player myself, I've been in trade talks plenty of years and plenty of times. I've figured out how to block it out, play my game and focus on what I have to do. Just lock in and play your game. Don't worry about anything else. All you can control is what you do on the court in the minutes that you're given.

"If something happens at the trade deadline, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You really never know."

The 33-year-old University of Nevada product figures to attract attention from contenders leading up to the deadline. He's proved his ability to make a substantial impact in a small role without a high number of offensive touches, and his $4.2 million cap hit is manageable, especially since it's an expiring deal.

If no deal is found, it sounds like McGee will continue to mentor the Cavs' young core for the rest of the campaign before exploring his options in the offseason.

NBA sources are reportedly confident Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers if he's not moved before Thursday's 2021 NBA trade deadline and is subsequently bought out by the Cavs.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the update Tuesday on The Hoop Collective podcast.

"The league believes—and I know that that's a vague statement, but I'm saying it that way to avoid trapping myself—the league believes, numerous teams that I've talked to believe, that Andre Drummond is heading for the Lakers if/when he gets bought out," Windhorst said.

Drummond and the Cavaliers agreed in mid-February he would remain with the team but wouldn't play in games as the front office tried to find a trade partner. Cleveland didn't want to force him to play a minuscule role while shifting to Jarrett Allen as its starting center.

"Sometimes you're forced into difficult positions that's not easy to navigate, but in respect to Dre and all that he's done and accomplished and as much as he's helped us, we thought this was the fairest thing to do for him," head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters.

Drummond was having another strong year before that. He averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor in 25 games.

His contract is a major hurdle in trade talks, however, as he carries a $28.8 million cap hit in the final season of his five-year, $127.2 million deal, per Spotrac.

Los Angeles likely doesn't have the financial flexibility to make something happen before the deadline, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday the two-time All-Star will be a "real big target" for the Lakers if he does hit free agency.

It creates dilemma for the NBA's other contenders heading into the deadline. Do they try to make a deadline move for Drummond, potentially getting other teams involved to help even out the cap hits, to prevent him from landing in L.A.? Or do they let him become a free agent and let the Lakers be the favorite to sign him?

It's an interesting subplot to follow in the coming days, especially with Los Angeles seeking reinforcements with LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (calf) sidelined by injuries.

If Drummond does get bought out, the Lakers will likely work quickly to sign him so he can help the team's effort to remain in the upper echelon of the Western Conference standings while L.A. waits for its superstar duo to return.

The Lakers sit third in the West with a 28-15 record as they look to defend their NBA title.

Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers would seem inclined to make Jarrett Allen a key piece of their future, the 22-year-old is going to generate a lot of interest as a restricted free agent this offseason.

Per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards are among teams expected to have "some level of interest" in Allen. 

Cleveland acquired Allen from the Brooklyn Nets in January as part of the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to Brooklyn. 

Cavs general manager Koby Altman told reporters at the time of the trade that adding a player of Altman's skill set at his age (22) was "too good to pass up."

Allen replaced Andre Drummond as Cleveland's starting center in early February, at which point ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported the Cavs were going to hold Drummond out of games while they explored trade opportunities. 

Haynes noted that Allen "will be open to all situations as he hopes to collect on his first major payday in the league."

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com wrote that he anticipates Allen could command a contract "close to $100 million, maybe even a bit north of that" in restricted free agency this summer. 

Being a restricted free agent does give Cleveland the opportunity to match any potential offer that Allen might receive. 

A first-round pick by the Nets in 2017, Allen is having the best season of his career with Cleveland. He is averaging 13.7 points on 63.8 percent shooting, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in 29 appearances with the Cavaliers. 

Quinn Cook's time in Cleveland has doubled, with the Cavaliers reportedly readying to sign him to a new 10-day deal, according to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com.

Cook, who was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers in February, is currently playing on a 10-day deal that will expire Sunday night. 

Through four games with the Cavaliers, Cook has averaged 12.8 minutes on the court, in which he has scored 5.0 points and logged 2.0 rebounds. 

The Cavaliers brought Cook in to fill a bench role behind Darius Garland, and according to Fedor, they're looking to keep him around as Matthew Dellavedova nears his return from the appendectomy that has kept him out all season. 

He didn't play on Friday as the Cavaliers made use of their recently acquired guard Brodric Thomas. Thomas posted seven points and three assists in nearly 16 minutes of action. 

Fedor wrote that Dellavedova—who averaged 3.1 points and 3.2 assists in 14.4 minutes through 57 appearances with the team last season—practiced Saturday but is not ready to play.

With the Lakers, Cook appeared in 16 contests but only logged 3.9 minutes per game in 2020-21, a year after he saw a career low in minutes en route to an NBA championship with the team. 

With just four days before the NBA trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly showing interest in Andre Drummond.

Per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Mavs have held talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers about potentially acquiring the two-time All-Star.

Drummond has been frequently mentioned as a buyout candidate given the potential difficulties that interested teams might have in acquiring his salary for the rest of this season. The 27-year-old is making $28.75 million in 2020-21, the final season of his five-year, $127.2 million deal.

O'Connor noted that Cleveland wants at least a second-round draft pick "or more if a long-term salary is included" in a trade.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Sunday that "there's a growing expectation" around the league that Drummond will get bought out, though the Cavs remain hopeful a trade can get worked out because they "still believe there's enough interest" in him.

Last month, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported the Cavaliers were going to hold Drummond out of games as they worked to find a trade partner.

The Mavs are in the market for someone who can provide size and rebounding help. They rank 25th in the NBA with 42.7 rebounds per game and are tied for 26th in offensive rebounds (8.2 per game).

Cleveland acquired Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in February 2020. He was averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 starts this season before being shut down.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly been scouting the top 2021 NBA draft prospects, from Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs and Kai Jones at the college level to G Leaguers Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Green, per Chris Fedor of cleveland.com. 

General manager Koby Altman and assistant general manager Mike Gansey also watched players like Moses Moody, Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer, BJ Boston, Isaiah Jackson and Cameron Thomas during conference tournaments last week. 

The Cavaliers are casting a wide net, a logical move considering the uncertainty of where the team will end up in the standings. The Cavs do appear to be headed for the lottery again after a 15-26 start, putting them 13th in the Eastern Conference. 

But a playoff berth isn't out of the question. Cleveland is just 3.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls (18-22) for the No. 10 seed, which would get them into the new play-in tournament between the Nos. 7-10 seeds. 

In his latest mock draft, B/R's Jonathan Wasserman projected the Cavaliers to select Duke's Jalen Johnson with the No. 6 overall pick, noting that his "physical profile and positional skill set should be too persuasive once Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Suggs are off the board."

Those five players, led by Cunningham, are widely believed to be the clear top talents in this year's draft.

Cunningham mixes excellent playmaking and scoring with his impressive length and athleticism. Mobley is the ideal modern center, mixing rim protection with the ability to stretch the floor as a shooter. Green and Kuminga are a fantastic wing prospects in a league that covets such players. Suggs is a natural point guard who also hurts teams with his scoring and athleticism. 

If the Cavaliers don't get into the top five, however, Wasserman believes the team could see Johnson as an "interchangeable big who can create problems with his ball-handling and use that 220-pound frame and athleticism on defense. Shooting represents an obvious wing skill, but even without it, he remains dangerous because of his unique playmaking and off-ball scoring by cutting, offensive rebounding, rolling and finishing."

So the Cavaliers are going to have some intriguing options as they look to build around the young core of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Isaac Okoro.    

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been working to trade Andre Drummond for more than a month, but as the trade deadline approaches, they may have to turn to a buyout to shed him from the roster.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the team still thinks it will find an offer for the big by Thursday, but "there's a growing expectation" elsewhere in the league that Drummond will be bought out of his contract. 

The difficulty in finding a trade partner isn't based on Drummond's on-court abilities. The 27-year-old was averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in 25 outings before the Cavaliers started holding him out of the lineup in February.

It's the financial commitment that comes with him that has teams holding off, per Fedor. Drummond is due $28.75 million in the final year of the five-year, $127.2 million deal he signed with the Detroit Pistons back in 2016 (via Spotrac). 

Fedor wrote that "most teams interested are playoff contenders" and aren't looking to tear down their roster in order to make room for Drummond and his paycheck. But one executive told Fedor that teams who have been linked to the big in a trade—including the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors—may put together a deal at the last minute because they don't want to risk losing out on Drummond when he hits the free-agent market in the event of a buyout.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are at the "top of the list" to sign him if negotiations reach the buyout stage (h/t Jonathan Adams of Heavy.com).

The Cavs have until Thursday to figure something out on the trade front. 

JaVale McGee may be headed to the postseason, just not with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Cavs currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference at 15-25, but McGee may be on his way out of the organization, with contenders reportedly reaching out to the team regarding his availability, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe. 

Per Lowe, some of those teams are hanging on to see if McGee is bought out of his deal before they discuss what they would give up in a trade. 

According to Chris B. Haynes of Yahoo, McGee isn't interested in being bought out, so teams that are interested—including the Brooklyn Nets, he wrote—will have to intrigue Cleveland with an offer. 

McGee is owed $4.2 million in the final year of his contract, a two-year deal he originally signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded to Cleveland in November in a transaction that sent Alfonzo McKinnie and Jordan Bell to L.A. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium wrote earlier in March that the Cavaliers were "open" to trades for McGee. 

Through 31 games, the veteran has averaged 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, primarily playing off of the bench behind Jarrett Allen, who joined the group in the four-team deal that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. Allen, who is in his fourth year in the league, has averaged 13.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks through 27 games. 

The Cavaliers also turned to Andre Drummond as a big this season, but he hasn't played since Feb. 14 as the team seeks trade partners for him. 

While Andre Drummond has frequently been linked to a number of top-tier playoff contenders if he gets bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, one under-the-radar team is reportedly monitoring the two-time All-Star.   

Per Fred Katz and David Aldridge of The Athletic, the Washington Wizards are "keeping an eye" on Drummond in case he receives a buyout. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported on Monday that the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are "believed to be" the top suitors for Drummond if he becomes a free agent, but the New York Knicks have "explored the possibility" of acquiring him.

Charania noted New York could potentially try to entice Drummond by making him a multiyear contract offer. 

The Lakers and Nets are two obvious landing spots. Both teams can use a center who can protect the rim and get rebounds. They are arguably the top contenders to represent their respective conferences in the NBA Finals if they are healthy in the playoffs. 

The Wizards' potential interest is a surprise because of where they are in the Eastern Conference standings. Their 14-24 record is tied with Cleveland for 12th, though they are only three games behind the Indiana Pacers for the final spot in the play-in tournament. 

Drummond hasn't appeared in a game since Feb. 12 as the Cavs explore trade opportunities for the 27-year-old. He is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds on 47.4 percent shooting in 25 starts this season.