Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert conducted a candid interview with the Plain Dealer this week and touched on the possibility of LeBron James leaving Cleveland in 2010.
"The truth is, I just don't even think of that that way," said Gilbert when asked what he thinks his franchise would be worth without James. "This is a long-term investment. We want to make the Cleveland Cavaliers a perennial champion and contender. We want people to be part of the franchise for long periods of time if they fit our culture, no matter who they are, whether it's LeBron or anybody that contributes.
"I haven't really gone through and literally said that if our superstar weren't to be here what would [the franchise value] be the next day because in the one-in-a-million chance that that would happen, that wouldn't be the time you would be evaluating that anyway."
Gilbert also touched on how the franchise is run and why it will remain an attractive place for James.
"Everything's philosophically driven. We just say, 'Look, if we can create the best environment, the best franchise, a winning franchise in a city that I think loves its sports teams, then we're in the best chance and opportunity to not only keep our greatest people but to attract others.' . . . To me, it'll take care of itself."
