Quote:It has to be a big factor, because they told him if he didn't want to be there, they wouldn't stand in his way.   Now, if they match the offer, they have publicly lied to one of their best players.   So Mack goes back into that Cleveland locker room and there is talk among the players about how the front office lied.   At that point, the only guy who can save them from a poisonous situation in their locker room is Alex Mack.   If he doesn't want to let them off the hook for lying to him, it can somewhat poison the locker room.  

 

Credibility is important, and that's why owners should not talk to the media about things like this.   The owner inevitably contradicts the GM.