2. Team Control
No matter what owner Dan Gilbert does, or whether or not he consults his cornerstone piece on acquisitions, James is in control. Gilbert isn’t in a position to do anything other than appease the league’s best player, especially if he maintains a desire to stay put.
This goes to another stark reality and possibly steaming hot take: The Cavs will disappear from the everyday dealings of mainstream sports if James goes away. Players are only interested in coming to Cleveland because of James’ transcendence. It’s a hardworking town, filled with people who deserve all the success that comes their way, but that’s not going to replace the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, or playing with a transcendent talent that will lead you to the Finals year after year.
To this end, Gilbert can’t just cast aside James, and proclaim the team will be better off letting him go on without maximizing his stay to the fullest. There can never be a situation where Gilbert repeats any of his decisions from 2010’s debacle. They must go all out in pursuit of a title, regardless of what lies ahead without James, because they likely will not have a talent on par with him ever again.
Next: Financials of Northeast Ohio
