CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says he’s optimistic about the future the NBA and his team after the end of the lockout.
Gilbert spoke prior to Sunday night’s game against the New Jersey Nets.
Gilbert says the Cavaliers were one of the teams that voted yes on the new agreement. He also said he was disappointed his email to commissioner David Stern protesting the proposed trade that would have sent New Orleans guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was leaked to the media.
Stern later voided the trade and Paul was eventually dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gilbert admitted the Cavaliers, who finished 19-63 last season, are in a rebuilding period. He says he likes the early development of rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.
