The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
KOBY ALTMAN AT A GLANCE
Koby Altman never wavered from his central message that the Cavaliers are not an organization in disarray during his first public appearance as general manager of the NBA team.
“This thing is not broken. We are a very successful organization and we will continue to drive for that success,” Altman said on July 26 during a joint news conference with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert at Cleveland Clinic Courts, the team’s practice center in Independence.
Altman was named to replace former general manager David Griffin on July 24. Gilbert had previously announced he would not offer a new contract to Griffin, the architect of Cavs teams that made three straight appearances in the NBA Finals and won the NBA title in 2016.
“Koby is a special guy, a relationships guy,” Gilbert said of Altman’s promotion to general manager from assistant general manager. “He knows basketball. He’s streetsmart and book-smart.”
A 34-year-old native of Brooklyn, New York, Altman joined the Cavaliers in August 2012 as professional personnel manager. He is the fourth general manager employed by Gilbert since he purchased the Cavs in 2005.
“This is a promotion, an incredible promotion, but I’ve been here. I know this organization really well,” Altman said. “I know the cast of characters really well. I’ve worked across all levels of this organization. I know I can now lead this organization because of that.”
Altman marveled that 10 years after embarking on a career in sports management, he was sitting next to the billionaire owner of the Cavs and taking questions about the direction of the franchise.
“This is a great opportunity for us,” Altman said. “We have a great team. We’re really excited to keep this thing moving forward.”
Altman said the franchise won’t alter its core mission with him as general manager.
“It never changes in the goals Dan (Gilbert) sets for York 34 Brooklyn, New
Joined the team in August 2012 as professional personnel manager. Promoted to director of professional personnel. Became assistant general manager in September 2016. Named to succeed David Griffin as general manager on July 24.
Achieved his undergraduate degree at Middlebury (Vt.) College, where he was starting point guard on the basketball team for three seasons. While earning his master’s degree in sports management at University of Massachusetts, worked as assistant coach of the men’s basketball team at Amherst College. Affiliated with USA Basketball as an assistant coach and administrator for the 17-and-under and 19-and-under teams that won gold medals in international tournaments in 2010 and 2009, respectively. From 2010 to 2012, was an assistant coach for men’s basketball at Columbia University.
us, and that’s to compete for championships.
The questions directed at Altman and Gilbert quickly turned to reports All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving has requested a trade. According to some of the reports, Irving wants to escape the shadow of Cavs superstar LeBron James and be the dominant player on another team.
“Kyrie is a core piece of what we’ve done, a tremendous player who has made great contributions to this franchise,” Altman said. “We enjoy him as a player.”
Altman and Gilbert confirmed reports there have been meetings between the team and representatives of Irving, who is under contract to the Cavs for two more seasons with a player option for a third.
“We want to keep in house what was said at those meetings,” Altman said. “He (Irving) continues to be a core piece of what we are and what we do.”
Altman deferred when asked if the team’s intention is to honor Irving’s request to be traded.
“We’ve had dialogue with his representation. It’s a fluid situation,” Altman said.
Some of the reports about Irving’s trade request have cited friction between him and James, especially since the reports first surfaced last week.
Altman said Irving and James have proven they can co-exist over the past three seasons.
“A lot of that has been overblown,” Altman said. “The people that are in this building every day haven’t seen any of that animosity. Along with Kevin Love, this is a group that has got us to three straight Finals and won a championship. They’ve played great together on the floor.”
Altman said head coach Tyronn Lue is a substantial asset for the team even as rumors swirl about Irving’s request for a trade and James ’ upcoming free agency after the 2017-18 season.
“He remains a rock and a huge cultural piece for this organization.,” Altman said of Lue. “He’s a tremendous human being and also a relationships guy. He has great relationships in the league and across our team. He’s helped us immensely through this transition and free-agency process by making sure we remain stable.”
Altman did not sound overly concerned about James’ status going into the upcoming season.
“LeBron remains deeply committed to this organization and this team and deeply committed to the city,” Altman said. “It means a lot to him to be here and compete for championships for years to come. That’s the goal. We have shared goals and shared vision. We’re committed to him.”
Altman said he was excited about the team’s signing of free-agent point guard Derrick Rose, a former NBA Most Valuable Player.
“He came here for the opportunity to win and play in meaningful games with other great players,” Altman said.
Altman pointed to what he called “an active offseason” that has also included the re-signing of veteran shooting guard Kyle Korver and the signing of veteran free-agents Jeff Green and Jose Calderon.
“We’ve done a lot of things not only to stay competitive but also incremental steps to get better,” he said. “We think we’re more talented. We’re certainly more hungry.”