Ex-Cavaliers coach coach Jim Boylan sues for age discrimination

He is seeking damages in excess of $ 25,000 and names the Cavaliers, owner Dan Gilbert and general manager Koby Altman as defendants.

According to a copy obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Friday, Boylan, 63, received a voicemail from Cavaliers coach Tyronn on June 17 informing him that Altman was declining to pick the team option in his contract, which was otherwise set to expire July 1.

Said in the voicemail message that the team had determined Boylan's option was "way too much money" and "(Altman) wants to go younger and that you know, find somebody who's a grinder and younger in that position," according to the lawsuit.

Boylan also claims that he was late with Altman, who confirmed that he and Gilbert were looking for a "younger" coach in Boylan's role.

Jason Hillman, the Cavaliers' chief of staff and team counsel, released a statement to USA TODAY Sports and other media outlets on Friday.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers had an 'option,' in its sole discretion, to extend the contract of its coach training coach Jim Boylan on the additional year for the 2018-2019 NBA season," the statement read. "The Cavaliers do not want to exercise their option to extend Mr. Boylan's contract for the 2018-2019 season, which has been fully and completely negotiated.

"The contract between the Cavaliers and Mr. Boylan ended with the completion of the 2017-2018 NBA season."

Hillman added that the team "will seek immediate dismissal of this disappointing, unwarranted and baseless claim."

Boylan previously worked as an assistant coach for NBA franchises, including Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

The Cavaliers fired on Sunday after the team stumbled to an 0-6 start. Cleveland's "acting coach," Larry Drew, turned 60 in April, while the two assistant coaches listed on his roster-James Posey and Mike Longabardi-are 41 and 45, respectively.

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