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Dan Gilbert and LeBron James
Over the years, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers, has had his ups and downs with superstar LeBron James. Two giant egos don't always make for a blissful relationship.
When James left the team in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, Gilbert calling the departure a "cowardly betrayal." In July 2014, the two kissed and made up and James announced he was returning. Last year, James was instrumental in bringing home a championship.
You'd think that euphoria might last a while. But ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports:
Tension between LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers' leadership is centered on payroll spending, multiple sources told ESPN.
James and team owner Dan Gilbert have different views on the issue, and it has been straining the relationship, sources said. The matter has been exacerbated by the team's struggles on the court; the Cavs lost for the sixth time in eight games, 116-112 to the Sacramento Kings in overtime, on Wednesday night.
When James was considering a return to the Cavs in 2014, he pressed Gilbert on whether he'd be willing to spend unconditionally on talent, regardless of the luxury-tax cost, sources said. Over the course of several meetings with James and his representatives, Gilbert agreed, and James subsequently signed with the team.
Gilbert dishes out big bucks for payroll, and will spend $127.5 million in salaries and $27 million in luxury taxes this season. Teams pay a luxury tax when they exceed a collective salary ceiling set by the league.
James, 32, has grown frustrated, perceiving that the Cavaliers have slowed new spending after winning their first championship, sources tell ESPN. He feels they need to bring on more talent.
Gilbert, 55, is mad over James' comments about the issue, ESPN reports.
-- Allan Lengel
