East-leading Cavs dismiss Blatt in second season

The Cavaliers have fired coach David Blatt, who guided Cleveland to the NBA Finals last year and the Eastern Conference's best record (30-11) midway through this season.

Blatt confirmed that he was fired Friday in an announcement by his agency. He also released a statement thanking the Cavs.

"I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Head Coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers," Blatt said in the statement. "I'd like to thank Dan Gilbert and David Griffin for giving me this opportunity and am honored to have worked with an amazing group of players from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love through our entire roster. I'd also like to express my extreme gratitude to my coaching staff. I am indebted to them for their professionalism, hard work, loyalty and friendship. I am proud of what we have accomplished since I have been the Head Coach and wish the Cavaliers nothing but the best this season and beyond."

The Cavs have replaced Blatt with assistant Tyronn Lue, according to ESPN sources and multiple reports. Lue has agreed to a three-year deal to be the team's head coach, according to Yahoo! Sports.

James was not consulted before the Cavaliers made the move to dismiss Blatt and was informed of the decision Friday, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst. The decision to fire Blatt was "entirely" up to Griffin, the team's general manager, a league source told ESPN.com.

Griffin is expected to speak to the media at 5:45 p.m. ET on Friday.