LeGone? Cavaliers playoff collapse sends LeBron James into free agency looking to win

Cavs, LeBron’s futures uncertain after loss

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping coach Mike Brown — for now.

Team owner Dan Gilbert refuted a report Friday that Brown had been fired. He says the team is “going through the evaluation process” and stressed the team would not react emotionally after “unexpectedly” losing to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

Cleveland had the league’s best record for the second straight regular season but was exposed as an incomplete team by the Celtics, who beat them in six games.

The loss opened up the possibility of a major shakeup as two-time MVP LeBron James prepares for free agency.

James is eligible to opt out of his contract this summer, a move that set off a scramble for his services from New York to Miami to Los Angeles and, of course, back in Cleveland.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CLEVELAND (AP) — No ring. And, maybe, no King.

Now that Cleveland’s NBA championship dreams have vanished, a cold, bitter truth has settled over a franchise and sports-tortured city in need of a hug.

A stunning loss to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs has hastened a summer that came quicker than anyone imagined, and opened up the possibility of a major shakeup as two-time MVP LeBron James prepares for free agency.

The Cavs announced owner Dan Gilbert will meet with the media at the team’s training complex at 2:30 p.m., and that general manager Danny Ferry will be available at 4 p.m.

The team said no coaches or players will be available Friday.

Cleveland had the league’s best record for the second straight regular season but was exposed as an incomplete team by the Celtics, who beat them in six games.