Griff sucked, was good for some quick fixes but was way too ready to trade first round picks and handed out too much money to the wrong guys.
I wouldn't say that Griff sucked, nor would I say he was great. It's hard to gauge a GM for a team when LeBron is on the roster.
Let's talk about those first round picks. One was used to get Kevin Love. One was used to acquire Channing Frye - who was a pivotal depth piece in a championship. One was used to clear cap space to sign LeBron James. The one we can certainly complain about is the Mozgov trade. Two firsts was a high price. The Korver trade might not even convey was a first rounder.
I think the only place where he was too ready to hand out picks was with Mozgov - and neither pick that was traded was high (26 & 20). Yes, Griff did trade several first rounders. Most of those trades were essential to winning in 2016 and only one can you really fairly criticize in light of that.
Contracts. Tristan Thompson was going to get paid with LeBron here. Shumpert's deal was a bit of any overpay but not unreasonable. There's some fair criticism there, but the team was capped out and in the tax. Smith was coming off a title. We can certainly claim that not matching Delly was an error.
I see some mistakes, but I also see someone who did what was necessary to win and keep the central figure on the team relatively happy. If not for the fluke of the 2016 offseason and Durant going to Oakland, who knows? I know many of us feel very strongly that the team could have beaten GSW in year one if it were healthy. There's no certainty there, but could be a legit possibility.
So with Griff, I'd say we can't completely judge him because of the situation he was in. His background means he certainly deserves a chance to TRULY be in charge and they have given him that in New Orleans.
Reality is that he has done something no other Cavs GM has ever done. Even after the legendary 1986 draft, no Cavs GM could accomplish it. Skepticism of Griff is fair. Saying he sucks is not.