The Cleveland Cavaliers had no clue LeBron James was serious about returning in 2014, which was part of the reason why they hired David Blatt.

James' reps were surprised by the Cavaliers' decision to hire Blatt and also hadn't waited to see if James would have input.

The Cavaliers also didn't have enough cap space initially to offer James a max contract.

The Cavaliers had drafted Andrew Wiggins and Blatt was expecting to try to improve a young team built around Kyrie Irving.

"David was hired to coach a developmental team and young players who would've wanted to please him," one team source said. "He ended up coaching a finished product where the players expected him to please them."

Blatt was also offended by being treated as a rookie coach. Blatt had been a coach for years in Europe but he had no NBA experience.

"I've been a head coach for 22 years. People overlook that too easily and, I think, unfairly," Blatt said last season. "I am not now, nor have I have been for quite some time, a rookie coach."