ESPN’s Windhorst: James and Gilbert Have Tension Over Payroll Spending

The Cavs January swoon continues, and now there’s new report from Brian Windhorst from ESPN that gives more insight to the issues between LeBron James and the Cavs front office.

The story, titled “LeBron James, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert at odds over payroll spending,” details an issue where James feels the Cavs should up the payroll and go out and get a player that can help them for another title run.

Here’s what the story says about the issues between the Cavs best player and owner Dan Gilbert.

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.

The story details about LeBron’s 2014 return and how it had to do with the amount of spending the Cavs have done since his comeback.

Gilbert and the Cavs have spent more in luxury tax than any other team since LeBron came back, but as of now that’s not enough for the future Hall of Famer, who wants the owner to open his pocket book again.

Right now the Cavs have $127.5 million in salaries and $27 million in luxury taxes, but Windhorst is growing impatient with the team not grabbing another player.

James, however, has grown frustrated. He perceives that the Cavaliers have slowed new spending after winning their first championship, sources said.

The Cavs are back on the court tonight against the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday against Oklahoma City, both games at home. Winning cures all, and if the team can get away from this recent stretch of losing, likely most of these hard feelings will melt away.