A strained relationship with owner Dan Gilbert is one of the reasons LeBron James could leave the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.
James didn't exactly deny that in a recent interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, but said the two have worked together to produce four straight Eastern Conference titles and one NBA championship.
"Our relationship has always been a working relationship," James told Nichols. "It's not about me and Dan. We've had a great working relationship and it's worked out for us both in these four years since I've been back."
But James gave an interesting answer when asked how much ownership will impact his free-agency decision.
"We're gonna see," he said. "We'll see."
LeBron James sits down and opens up on the craziest season of his career, the months when he worried the Cavs wouldn't even make the playoffs (much less the Finals), why he didn't want Cleveland to trade Kyrie - plus his relationship with Owner Dan Gilbert. pic.twitter.com/baOWUcPoe6
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 31, 2018
It's difficult to envision LeBron remaining with the Cavs unless they can significantly upgrade the support around him, and that's before any concerns about tension with Gilbert, which date back to James' initial departure from Cleveland in 2010. LeBron turns 34 in December and has already said he wasn't pleased with the way the team handled the trade of Kyrie Irving last summer.
This spring's challenging path to his eighth straight NBA Finals appearance may make the grass appear greener with other franchises. The Los Angeles Lakers could have the salary cap space to make a run at both James and Paul George, while visions of a unique superteam and some creative accounting might lure LeBron to Houston - should good friend Chris Paul return to the Rockets.
