Koby Altman's rapid rise to Cavaliers general manager was finalized Monday, but the 34-year-old's toes may already be singed from being thrown into the fire.
Interim GM since Cavs owner Dan Gilbert parted ways with David Griffin on June 19, Altman officially takes the reins during a tumultuous period. Tired of being overshadowed by LeBron James, four-time All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving recently asked the Cavs to be traded, with the request surfacing Friday. James can become a free agent next summer and speculation is rampant that he will leave for Los Angeles.
The Cavs find themselves in luxury tax purgatory and have few assets, hoping to sign free agent guard Derrick Rose to a veteran's minimum contract. Yet Altman will be tasked with getting the Cavs back to the NBA Finals, which they've reached for three consecutive seasons, winning a championship in 2016.
Gilbert continued his practice of promoting from within, as he did with Griffin and his predecessor, Chris Grant. Altman received a three-year contract, ESPN reported, and chose Mike Gansey, Cavs scout and general manager of the Canton Charge, to be his No. 2. A native of Olmsted Falls who played at West Virginia, Gansey was named the D-League executive of the year in April.
Altman will be introduced Wednesday at a 4 p.m. press conference at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Gilbert will also be available.
"Over the past month, Koby Altman has led our front office group through this transition period, impressing many inside the franchise and outside the organization as well. We are very excited that he will now be officially leading the basketball side of our franchise," Gilbert said in a statement. "Koby has the credentials, knowledge, experience and instincts to be an outstanding general manager.
"In addition to these positive attributes and outstanding relationships around the league, Koby will inspire and impact the best possible culture throughout the organization. We are going to see a capable and passionate leader who will also cultivate new ideas and innovation. The speed of the game is ever faster on the court and in the front offices around our league. I am confident that Koby is equipped and prepared to lead and succeed in this dynamic environment."
Gansey's promotion was not included in the Cavs' press release, with the team saying "other notable front office moves are expected soon."
"The past month or so has allowed the opportunity for several other talented and hard-working individuals on the basketball side of our business to demonstrate their deep knowledge and capability. We are looking forward to announcing additional restructuring involving these remarkable executives in the very near future," Gilbert said.
A former assistant coach at Columbia University, Altman has been with the Cavs since August 2012, first brought in as pro personnel manager. Since then, he has filled the roles of director of pro personnel and assistant general manager, pro personnel, a title he received last September.
"I am incredibly grateful to Dan for the opportunity to become general manager of the Cavaliers. His confidence, support and strong commitment to achieving our collective goals is very clear to me and I look forward to continuing our efforts," Altman said in a statement. "I am also excited and proud to lead a front office team that will continue to be sharply focused on competing for championships. That challenge is what drives all of us. Cleveland fans support the Cavs with passion, pride and loyalty. That's something all of us here have a deep respect for and will never take for granted. We will always work hard and search for creative ideas that will impact our success on the court and in the community."
Gilbert made Altman his primary focus after his top choice, ESPN analyst and five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups, turned down Gilbert's offer to head basketball operations on July 3. Billups, who had a relationship with Gilbert dating back a decade to his playing days with the Detroit Pistons, reportedly was offered a five-year contract.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Altman was a three-year starter at point guard for Middlebury College in Vermont and earned a master's degree in sports management at the University of Massachusetts. He's also coached at Amherst College and Southern Illinois and gained experience in the USA Basketball program. He served as manager for the Under-17 team that won the gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Hamburg, Germany, and assisted the 19-and-under team that took gold at the 2009 world championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
