Richard Jefferson Compares David Griffin to Cubs GM Theo Epstein

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson expressed shock over the departure of general manager David Griffin, likening him to Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein.

"He's the Theo Epstein of basketball," Jefferson told ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin on Tuesday. "He ended the curse. Not just for a team, but for an entire city."

The Cavaliers announced Griffin would not return Monday. Griffin was the team's general manager each of the last three seasons, helping lead the Cavaliers to three straight NBA Finals appearances and the 2015-16 title. 

"On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Griff for his leadership and many contributions during his time here, including most recently, his role in the franchise’s first NBA championship," owner Dan Gilbert said in a statement.

"We have no announcement at this time related to new leadership of the Cavaliers basketball operations group, but we are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead."

LeBron James seemed to shade the organization late Monday night, tweeting "If no one appreciated you Griff I did, and hopefully all the people of Cleveland!" James' contentious relationship with Gilbert is well-documented, as is his admiration for the job Griffin did as general manager. Griffin hinted at his own relationship with Gilbert becoming untenable in a statement provided to McMenamin.  

"I am extremely excited for my next challenge in the NBA, however, Dan and I know now that are a team built largely on the concept of fit and we now at a point where the fit is not right for us to continue with one another," Griffin wrote.

Jefferson said the situation was a "no-fault divorce," but still seemed to hint that players are used to an unconventional organization strategy, per McMenamin. 

"We shouldn't be shocked after we fired our head coach when we were in first place in the middle of the season," Jefferson said, referring to former coach David Blatt. "Still, it's surprising."

Suffice it to say things are a lot more fissured than they should be for an organization coming off three straight Finals appearances.