The Cleveland Cavaliers have arrived in New York City, but they are not all staying together.
The team initially booked reservations at the Trump SoHo hotel, a Lower Manhattan 46-story luxury building with the name of President-elect Donald Trump attached. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Cavs have a contract with the establishment.
But LeBron James and a group of unidentified teammates have been excused from staying at the hotel. James and J.R. Smith attended a rally for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton just two days before she was defeated by Trump on Election Day.
Three NBA teams -- the Bucks, Grizzlies and Mavericks -- reportedly ceased business relationships with Trump-branded hotels earlier this year.
According to McMenamin, the Trump SoHo provides some nostalgia to the Cavs, as it is the location head coach Tyronn Lue gave Kevin Love a pep talk last April, inspiring Love to strive in the postseason.
Cavs general manager David Griffin tells Cleveland.com other accommodations have been made for the players. Griffin estimates half the team will set up camp away from the team hotel.
The Trump SoHo is the only Trump-named hotel the Cavs are scheduled to stay in this season. The Cavs still have the hotel reserved for their Feb. 4 meeting with the Knicks and a potential postseason appearance in Manhattan. The Cavs do not plan on staying at the Trump SoHo for their Jan. 6 trip to Brooklyn.
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