LeBron James' departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 left fans disheartened and team owner Dan Gilbert outraged. However, he wasn't the only one who had such a sentiment to see The King fail. Cavs general manager Chris Grant was equally determined to prevent James from achieving championship success in Miami. To his end, Grant informed Baron Davis that his release from the team was contingent upon a promise not to join the four-time MVP in Miami.
Baron Davis on his conversation with the Cavs GM
Midway into the 2010-11 season, B-Diddy, approaching the end of his career, was traded by the LA Clippers to the Cavs for a draft first-round pick in exchange for Jamario Moon and Mo Williams. As Davis appeared in merely 15 games for Cleveland, the franchise exercised their 'amnesty clause' on the 6'3" point guard following that season. This clause was a part of the previous CBA which allowed teams to waive a player without the contract affecting their salary cap.
While the two-time All-Star went on to represent the New York Knicks in his farewell NBA campaign, that wasn't his preferred option. Instead, his intention was to join LeBron in Miami. However, Grant ensured this would not transpire, straight up informing him that he was free to join any other team except the Heat.
Put simply, Grant realized that Baron was the exact kind of veteran who could've helped LeBron clinch the Larry O'Brien trophy. During his appearance on Gilbert Arenas' podcast, the California native recounted just how blunt Grant was with his message.
"He was like, 'Yo, you cannot go to Miami and go with LeBron because you will probably be the piece he needs to win a championship,'" Davis said . "I said, 'Huh? So, you're telling me basically you're not gonna amnesty me because you know I'm going to go to Miami?' He was like, 'Yeah if you decide or commit to not going to Miami, you can go anywhere else we'll amnesty you.' And I was like, 'Alright, cool.' That's why I wound up going to New York."
Dan Gilbert claimed the Cavs would win a title before James
Even though Davis probably wouldn't have made a significant impact for LeBron's Heat, mainly since he only played in 29 games in his final season, it shows how much resentment the Cavs organization had for the Akron native after he left. If Grant's message isn't proof enough, remember Gilbert's infamous claim that Cleveland would win a title long before LeBron and his Big 3 in Miami.
Safe to say that amidst all this chaos, the greatest loss came for 'Boom Dizzle,' who could not cap off his 13-year NBA career with the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Related: "I was getting dressed damn near in the bathroom" – Baron Davis on how crazy 'Linsanity' was
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