Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry is close to parting ways with the franchise less than two weeks after the dismissal of coach Mike Brown, triggering a dramatic reshaping of the team’s brain trust as it desperately tries to retain LeBron James(notes), league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

One source said it’s “very possible” an official decision could be announced as soon as Friday.

Ferry’s contract ends this summer. He had said after the Cavaliers’ second-round loss to the Boston Celtics that he would speak with owner Dan Gilbert to decide whether it was best for him to continue as GM. Ferry was disappointed about having to fire Brown, a close confidante from their days with the San Antonio Spurs. Gilbert had initially seemed open to bringing back Ferry, but sources said he ultimately expressed reservations about extending a long-term contract extension.

Assistant GM Chris Grant is expected to take over for Ferry.

so is lebron still calling all the shots in cleveland?

Everyone's leaving!!!

from RealGM:
Despite reports to the contrary, LeBron James didn't play a role in Danny Ferry's decision to resign as general manager of the Cavaliers.

Ferry resigned earlier Friday. Cleveland fired head coach Mike Brown last month in the wake of their early playoff departure.

"#LeBron made aware of Ferry decision after it was made late Wed. High level sources: LeBron did not play a role in decision, he liked Ferry," Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on his Twitter page.

Windhorst also reported that James had no comment when asked about Ferry's departure.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67009/20100604/lebron_played_no_role_in_ferrys_departure/#ixzz0pvOeYxU3

No worries.

It's what I would do if the writing were on the wall.

The departure of Danny Ferry came about because Dan Gilbert was not willing to give Ferry the same control over the team as he had previously.

"This was about power," Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on his Twitter page. "Ferry wanted same level as in 2005, with the stakes Gilbert didn't want to give it. So they parted ways."

Despite reports to the contrary, LeBron James didn't play a role in Ferry's decision to resign as general manager of the Cavaliers.

Cleveland fired head coach Mike Brown last month in the wake of the team's early exit from the playoffs.

"LeBron made aware of Ferry decision after it was made late Wed. High level sources: LeBron did not play a role in decision, he liked Ferry," wrote Windhorst.

Windhorst also reported that James had no comment when asked about Ferry's departure.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67009/20100604/ferrys_departure_about_power_lebron_played_no_role/#ixzz0pwvn0hrS