Cavs extend deal for President Koby Altman

The Cavaliers wanted to keep their front office intact. Koby Altman, president of basketball operations, signed a contract extension that keeps him in Cleveland through the 2029-30 season. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert also handed out multi-year extensions to the rest of the executive front office, which includes general manager Mike Gansey, assistant GM Brandon Weems, vice president of basketball operations/general counsel Jason Hillman and vice president of basketball strategy and personnel Jon Nichols. "Koby Altman has demonstrated that he is the right person to lead this franchise," Gilbert said in a statement. "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." Under Altman, the Cavs have executed 28 total trades and 15 in-season trades, including the additions of forward De'Andre Hunter at the trade deadline this year and guard Lonzo Ball in a deal with Chicago 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 team has secured long-term contract extensions with Garland, Mitchell, Allen and Mobley. Despite its disappointing second-round exit from the playoffs for the second consecutive year, Cleveland recorded the second-best record in the NBA last year at 64-18. Only one team in Cavs' history had won more games in the regular season. However, success in the postseason is what the Cavs are aiming for, and many feel the 2025-26 season could be headed in that direction. With injuries to several star players in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland might be the favorite to advance to the NBA Finals. The Cavs bring back their starting five and added point guard Lonzo Ball in a trade with the Chicago Bulls recently for swingman Isaac Okoro. They also brought back shooting guard Sam Merrill and backup big man Larry Nance Jr. and drafted Duke combo guard Tyrese Proctor this summer. On paper, Cleveland's roster is once again deep and talented. Altman, 42, joined Cleveland's front office as pro personnel manager in August 2012 and was promoted to director of pro player personnel in September 2013. The Brooklyn, New York, native was hired as the 11th general manager in team history on July 24, 2017, and elevated to his current role of president of basketball operations in January 2022. In that position, he manages and oversees all aspects of scouting, personnel, player acquisitions and transactions and all team operations. He was runner-up to Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti as 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year. It was the third time Altman has been second in the voting for the award. He has extensive experience with the USA Basketball program and served as an assistant coach at Columbia University for two seasons. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.