You recall Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert from the night of Lebron James’ “The Decison” correct? The man who made his fortune by exploiting poor people and giving out house loans to the homeless (CEO of Quicken Loans) embarrassed himself that evening with an extremely bitter letter to LBJ.
The comic sans font he used put the unintentional comedy of the situation off the charts. Gilbert is back with another too whiny for a powerful billionaire missive.
Gilbert called the New Orleans Hornets’ now nullified trade of Chris Paul to the L.A. Lakers a “travesty,” and urged NBA commissioner David Stern to let the league’s 29 owners vote on it. an
The email was obtained and published by Yahoo! Sports. You can read it after the jump.
Gilbert sent this email to Stern, deputy commissioner Adam Silver and a cadre of fellow league owners.
Here’s the email in its entirety:
Commissioner,
It would be a travesty to allow the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul in the apparent trade being discussed.
This trade should go to a vote of the 29 owners of the Hornets.
Over the next three seasons this deal would save the Lakers approximately $20 million in salaries and approximately $21 million in luxury taxes. That $21 million goes to non-taxpaying teams and to fund revenue sharing.
I cannot remember ever seeing a trade where a team got by far the best player in the trade and saved over $40 million in the process. And it doesn’t appear that they would give up any draft picks, which might allow to later make a trade for Dwight Howard. (They would also get a large trade exception that would help them improve their team and/or eventually trade for Howard.) When the Lakers got Pau Gasol (at the time considered an extremely lopsided trade) they took on tens of millions in additional salary and luxury tax and they gave up a number of prospects (one in Marc Gasol who may become a max-salary player).
I just don’t see how we can allow this trade to happen.
I know the vast majority of owners feel the same way that I do.
When will we just change the name of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?
Please advise….
Dan G.
You can’t be serious??? Whatever happened to the free market? If a franchise can rip off other franchises it’s their god-given right to do so. Gilbert is now the grown up version of the kid who interferes and tells all the parents when the dumb kid trades you his mint condition 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn Rookie Card for your creased up 1986 Fleer Dickie Thon. And then all the parents tell you have to do a tradeback.
B.S. I KNOW!
Speaking of B.S. as in Bill Simmons, here’s his take from Grantland– a good read.
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