LAS VEGAS -- LeBron James didn't leave the Cavaliers because of anything they did or failed to do, general manager Koby Altman said.

"I think this was a decision largely for him and he deserved that," Altman said Friday, in his first public comments since James chose to join the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday.

"He deserved to make this decision for him and his career and what he wanted to do," Altman said. "So, we can't take it personal. We're not bitter. We're thankful and happy that he spend the last four years with us."

James, 33, a 14-time All-Star, left the Cavs for the second time in eight summers when he agreed to a four-year, $153.3 million contract with the Lakers. From the moment he returned to the Cavs in 2014, until he headed West, James led the Cavs to four consecutive Finals and an NBA championship in 2016.

James chose to become a free agent rather than exercise a $35.6 million option to remain with the Cavs next season. Altman said he thought the Cavs still had a chance to keep James until James' agent Rich Paul called him Sunday just before Paul's agency announced James' departure in a news release.

"It was an incredible four years and when you first get hit with it, there is a level of hurt," Altman said. "You're hurt because of what you went through for the four years with him and what he meant to us. But I was extremely thankful, at the same time. I realize what we accomplished this year and the last four years and we did a lot. I mean, it was four incredible years led by him and I'm very thankful for the years he gave our team, this organization, and the city

"Obviously initially, you're disappointed because you lose a player at the level of LeBron James," Altman said. "There's no easy way to recover from that. But at the same time, I was very, very thankful and obviously we wish him the best."

Altman then laid out his opposition to trading Kevin Love and "tanking" to start a total rebuild in James' absence.