Cleveland’s sticking with what works. Koby Altman, the architect behind the Cavaliers’ steady climb back into NBA relevance, has signed a contract extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. It’s a clear vote of confidence from the organization, a sign they’re all-in on Altman’s vision after a historic regular season that turned heads around the league.
And he’s not alone. GM Mike Gansey and assistant GM Brandon Weems are also getting extended, signaling something we don’t always see in pro sports. Front office stability. That is no small thing when you’re trying to build something lasting.
Koby Altman’s been quietly steering the ship since 2017, first as GM and now as president of basketball operations. And let’s be real, his job wasn’t easy. Taking over in the shadow of LeBron James’ departure (again), expectations were high, and patience was thin. But slowly, and with a few gutsy moves, Koby Altman built a team that went 64-18 this past season, the best record in franchise history, and claimed the No. 1 seed in the East.
Their playoff run didn’t go as planned, injuries to stars like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter played a big part, but Altman isn’t discouraged. “We’re building something sustainable, he said recently. This group is still young, hungry, and just scratching the surface.”
Altman’s track record reads like a blueprint for rebuilding right. He drafted Garland in 2019, grabbed Mobley in 2021, and then made a bold move to trade for Donovan Mitchell, a deal that instantly shifted Cleveland into playoff mode.
He also brought in Kenny Atkinson, who ended up winning the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year. And don’t sleep on under-the-radar pickups like Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. They will add defensive toughness and locker room leadership.
The moves weren’t just about chasing wins; they were about crafting a culture, balancing win-now urgency with a long-game mindset. It’s why ownership is handing the keys to Koby Altman for the next half-decade.
Altman is not doing this alone. Gansey and Weems are sticking around, too. Gansey has a sharp eye for talent and has been instrumental in player development. Weems, who’s not just a close friend of LeBron but also a savvy basketball mind in his own right, has earned respect for his player-first approach and basketball instincts.
This trio has been in lockstep for years now, handling every major draft, trade, and coaching decision together. It’s a rare kind of synergy in an NBA landscape that’s often chaotic. And it’s working.
Despite an early playoff exit, the Cavs’ core is solid and still young. Garland and Mobley are just getting started. Mitchell is fully bought in and remains one of the league’s most dynamic scorers. When healthy, this group has a top-tier offense and a defense that can lock teams down.
Heading into the offseason, the focus is simple but crucial:
Bolster the bench so injuries don’t derail another postseason.
Find more two-way players who can make an impact on both ends.
Add a few veterans who’ve been through the fire of deep playoff runs.
And with Koby Altman leading the charge, there’s reason to believe the right pieces will fall into place.
The 2025-26 season is going to be a proving ground. Can the Cavs stay healthy? Can they build on last year’s dominance and take the next step in the playoffs? It’s all eyes on Garland to steer the offense, Mobley to continue blossoming into a two-way star, and Mitchell to deliver when it matters most. Meanwhile, Altman and company will keep tinkering, adjusting, and reinforcing the vision they’ve stuck to since day one.
Re-signing Koby Altman isn’t just about keeping a smart executive in charge. It’s about committing to a direction, a belief that this team, this front office, and this vision can deliver a championship to Cleveland again. Only this time, it might not require a homegrown superhero named LeBron James.
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