Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is an undeniably horrible human being. This was obvious when he reacted like a spoiled 2-year-old on the eve of LeBron James leaving him and his pathetic franchise for greener pastures, and it’s still bright as day in the here and now. The Cavaliers will never, ever win anything under his reign because when he’s not peddling faulty mortgages like they’re Halloween candy, he’s not really good for much.
On Thursday, when the NBA -- in one of the all-time most embarrassing moves ever -- announced that they would reject a legitimate trade which would send Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, everyone should’ve known Gilbert was behind it. When it comes to getting people, teams and deals to fail – he’s the master.
Now, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports, we have direct confirmation that Gilbert sabotaged the transaction that would have improved the fortunes of at least two franchises (the Houston Rockets end result was debatable) and had zero ramifications for his awful, weak little team that isn’t going to win squat for the next 10 years anyway.
Via Yahoo! Sports, here is the e-mail:
Commissioner,
It would be a travesty to allow the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul in the apparent trade being discussed.
This trade should go to a vote of the 29 owners of the Hornets.
Over the next three seasons this deal would save the Lakers approximately $20 million in salaries and approximately $21 million in luxury taxes. That $21 million goes to non-taxpaying teams and to fund revenue sharing.
I cannot remember ever seeing a trade where a team got by far the best player in the trade and saved over $40 million in the process. And it doesn’t appear that they would give up any draft picks, which might allow to later make a trade for Dwight Howard. (They would also get a large trade exception that would help them improve their team and/or eventually trade for Howard.) When the Lakers got Pau Gasol (at the time considered an extremely lopsided trade) they took on tens of millions in additional salary and luxury tax and they gave up a number of prospects (one in Marc Gasol who may become a max-salary player).
I just don’t see how we can allow this trade to happen.
I know the vast majority of owners feel the same way that I do.
When will we just change the name of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?
Please advise….
Dan G.
Dan Gilbert is a joke – plain and simple.
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