Cavs promote Brandon Weems to general manager

The Cavaliers did not go outside the organization to replace Mike Gansey. They moved someone already climbing the ladder into his chair.

Cleveland officially promoted Brandon Weems from assistant general manager to general manager, the team announced Friday. 

Weems will serve as the top lieutenant to president of basketball operations Koby Altman. Gansey previously held the GM position before leaving Cleveland this offseason to run the 76ers’ front office.

The Cavaliers also promoted Jon Nichols from vice president of basketball strategy to associate general manager. Brendon Yu and former NBA guard Jose Calderon were named assistant general managers. Yu previously served as Cleveland’s director of college scouting, while Calderon worked as a special adviser.

Weems joined the Cavaliers as a scout in 2015 and steadily advanced through the organization. He became director of scouting in 2017, senior director of player personnel in 2021 and assistant general manager in 2022.

Before arriving in Cleveland, Weems worked under John Calipari at Kentucky and later held positions at Drexel and Oakland University.

Weems is also a longtime friend of LeBron James. During James’ free agency this summer, agent Rich Paul referred to Weems as “basically LeBron’s brother” while discussing Cleveland’s appeal.

James ultimately signed with Philadelphia. Weems stayed in Cleveland and now occupies the general manager’s office.

The Cavs had an opening near the top of their basketball operation. They filled it with someone who spent more than a decade preparing for it.