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Dan Gilbert thanks LeBron James this time, vows No. 23 will be retired in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This time, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert showed nothing but grace and gratitude after LeBron James left him for another team.

Why? Among other things, the two of them won a championship together.

"LeBron, you came home and delivered the ultimate goal," Gilbert said in a statement released by the team just after midnight. "Nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything you put into every moment you spent in a Cavaliers uniform. We look forward to the retirement of the famous #23 Cavs jersey one day down the line."

James' agent Rich Paul announced Sunday that James would join the Los Angeles Lakers, thus leaving the Cavs and Gilbert for the second time in eight summers.