Koby Altman has been tasked with trying to rebuild the Cleveland Cavaliers after LeBron James left the franchise a second time, and owner Dan Gilbert apparently feels he has been doing a solid job of that.
Altman has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the Cavs, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The Cavs reached the NBA Finals in Altman’s first year as GM in 2017, but that was a much different roster with LeBron still in the mix. In any event, Gilbert approves of the work Altman has done, which includes hiring a new head coach in John Beilein. Gilbert purchased the Cavs in 2005, and the 37-year-old Altman is the first GM who has received a contract extension from the owner.
Altman has acquired four first-round picks since he took charge of basketball operations, and point guard Collin Sexton looks like he was a great pick at No. 8 overall two years ago. Former Michigan State star Darius Garland, whom the Cavs drafted with the fifth overall pick earlier this year, has also shown signs of promise and is averaging 9.5 points per game in his first four NBA contests.
Perhaps the biggest move Altman made as GM of the Cavs was one he was essentially forced into, and Gilbert has praised him for the way he handled that situation.
