Altman inherited Cleveland's GM job when David Griffin stepped down and was thrown into the fire to figure out a trade for Kyrie Irving.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of this season’s biggest success stories. Entering play on Tuesday, they’re the East’s No. 6 seed at 23-18 with the best point differential in the conference.
Recently, the Cavs rewarded coach J.B. Bickerstaff with a long-term contract extension, and now they’ve reportedly done the same for GM Koby Altman. On Tuesday, the Cavs extended Altman through 2028 and also updated his title to president of basketball operations, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and confirmed by CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter.
ESPN story on Cleveland Cavaliers GM Koby Altman agreeing on a long-term contract extension through 2028 — and assuming a new title as President of Basketball Operations. https://t.co/ZeZQIYPW7F
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2022
Altman inherited Cleveland’s GM job when David Griffin stepped down and was thrown into the fire by having to figure out a trade for Kyrie Irving. The next summer, LeBron James left for the Lakers. Suddenly the Cavs were an organization without any clear direction.
But you look up now, and Altman is credited with drafting Darius Garland, who probably should be an All-Star this season, and Evan Mobley, who is the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. Altman also traded for Jarrett Allen, who is also in the running for an All-Star berth as one of the league’s most impactful defenders.
Altman was questioned for bringing in Lauri Markkanen on a four-year, 67 million dollars deal, but the Cavs’ tall-ball approach of starting three seven-footers has proved fruitful. Good luck trying to get a shot against them at the rim. Altman’s acquisition of Ricky Rubio was looking like one of the summer’s best low-key moves until Rubio went down for the season with a torn ACL.
The Cavs have slipped of late with injuries and COVID absences, losing six of their last 10, but guys are getting back and Altman is in a position to perhaps make a big trade before the deadline. We’ll see what he has up his sleeve, but whatever he does, he’ll do so with the security of a contract extension and title bump that he has earned.
