Cavaliers make major move regarding president Koby Altman

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman has signed a contract extension that will run through the 2029-30 season, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN.

Altman last signed an extension back in January 2022. Reporting at the time indicated that deal kept him under contract through 2027-28, so the new extension will tack on two additional years.

Altman, who has been the head of basketball operations in Cleveland since 2017, oversaw the post-LeBron James rebuild following the star forward’s departure in 2018 and has since constructed one of the NBA’s most talented rosters. The Cavaliers have won at least 48 games and earned a playoff berth in each of the past three seasons. In 2024-25, the club racked up a league-high 64 regular season victories.

The Cavaliers have drafted Darius Garland and Evan Mobley during Altman’s tenure, as well as trading for Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell. Altman also oversaw the 2024 head coaching search that resulted in the team hiring Kenny Atkinson, who earned Coach of the Year honors this spring.

Altman’s job will get more challenging going forward — after remaining out of luxury tax territory for seven straight seasons in the wake of James’ exit, the Cavs have soared past that tax threshold this offseason and will be operating above the second tax apron in 2025-26.

While carrying one of the league’s most expensive rosters is more of a burden on ownership than management, the roster restrictions that apply to second-apron teams will make it more difficult for Altman and his front office to continue complementing the Cavs’ core with quality role players.

Cleveland lost Ty Jerome in free agency this offseason but re-signed free agent wing Sam Merrill, swapped Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball and brought back former Cav Larry Nance Jr.

According to Charania, other members of Altman’s front office — including general manager Mike Gansey and assistant general manager Brandon Weems — have also been extended.