Dan Gilbert Issues Statement On Cavaliers Extending Koby Altman

The Cleveland Cavaliers gave president of basketball operations Koby Altman, general manager Mike Gansey, assistant general manager Brandon Weems, vice president of basketball operations/general counsel Jason Hillman and vice president of basketball strategy and personnel Jon Nichols extensions on Monday. 

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert released the following statement on the move:

“Koby Altman has demonstrated that he is the right person to lead this franchise. He is not only an outstanding team-builder, but he has also created an exceptional culture that transcends the basketball side of our business and serves as a positive foundation and philosophy for the entire franchise.

“Koby not only has a great nose for basketball talent, but he has recruited and developed extraordinary front office talent as well. This unique combination has positioned our franchise to compete for championships for years to come. The decision to extend Koby and his team is not solely based on recent success, but rather the entire body of work since he took over the role in 2018.”

The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals in five games. 

Under Altman, the Cavaliers have executed 28 total trades and 15 in-season trades, including the additions of forward De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline from the Atlanta Hawks last season and guard Lonzo Ball in a deal with the Chicago Bulls on July 6.

Other transactions that have helped shape the Cavaliers include the trade acquisitions of Jarrett Allen (2021), Donovan Mitchell (2022), Max Strus (2023) and the first-round draft selections of Darius Garland (No. 5 overall in 2019) and Evan Mobley (No. 3 overall in 2021).

Over the past three years, the Cavaliers have secured long-term contract extensions with Garland, Mitchell, Allen and Mobley.

The next step for Cleveland is to compete for the championship. The Cavaliers haven’t made the NBA Finals since 2018.