LeBron James admits free agency could depend on Cavs owner Dan Gilbert
EPA LeBron James is set to hit free agency this summer
Gilbert and James have shared a famously tense relationship over the years: in 2010, the billionaire businessman penned an extraordinary open letter to the fans condemning James’ decision to leave the Cavs and sign with the Miami Heat. “You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal,” Gilbert ranted. “You have given so much and deserve so much more. In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight. "I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE.”
GETTY James won an NBA Championship alongside Gilbert in 2016
On James’ return home to Cleveland in 2014, it took two years before he inspired the Cavs to fight back from a 3-1 NBA Finals series deficit against the Golden State Warriors to secure Cleveland’s first ever NBA championship. But the bond between the franchise’s star player and team owner remains functional rather than fulfilling – a factor that could play into James’ free agency decision this summer. “Our relationship has always been a working relationship. For me personally, I’ve always tried to, since I came back to this franchise, tried to put this franchise at a level that it is always seen in a positive light,” James explained to ESPN’S Rachel Nichols.
EPA James, 33, is about to feature in his ninth NBA Finals – his eighth consecutive appearance