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Koby Altman To Become Full-Time Cavaliers GM Amid Uncertain Status Of Kyrie, LeBron

The Cavaliers have agreed to a three-year deal with Koby Altman to become GM after "serving as interim GM since late June, after the team parted ways" with David Griffin, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Altman has been a member of the front office "for the last five years, being hired originally as pro personnel manager." Cavaliers G League affiliate Canton Charge GM Mike Gansey is "expected to take over" as Assistant GM (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 7/25). In Akron, Marla Ridenour writes Altman officially "takes the reins during a tumultuous period." Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving "recently asked" to be traded, while Cavs F LeBron James can "become a free agent next summer and speculation is rampant that he will leave" for L.A. The Cavaliers also "find themselves in luxury tax purgatory and have few assets." Despite that, Altman will be "tasked with getting the Cavs back to the NBA Finals." Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert "continued his practice of promoting from within, as he did with Griffin and his predecessor, Chris Grant." Gilbert made Altman his "primary focus" after Chauncey Billups, his first choice, turned down an offer to head basketball operations earlier this month (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 7/25).

GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES: ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said the Cavaliers are “rudderless right now,” and despite Altman serving as the interim GM since Griffin's departure, the organization has been “steering without a captain for quite some time." Shelburne: "When you don’t have somebody piloting the ship, everything falls apart." A lot of the stuff regarding the relationship with Irving and James was "beneath the surface as the Cavs have been going to three straight Finals." However, it "all bubbles up and it all frays and falls apart” without front-office leadership ("OTL," ESPN, 7/24). ESPN's Rachel Nichols noted fans can "trace some of the unraveling" of the organization "right back to this team's front office decisions." Griffin for three years "managed and massaged the relationship" between Irving and James before he was let go ("The Jump," ESPN, 7/24). ESPN's Amin Elhassan: "You need to have people who can keep the peace, who can manage the tension. David Griffin was that guy. David Griffin kept everything under wraps. He kept Kyrie focused and at the same time kept LeBron in check.” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk: “It starts with ownership, it starts with Dan Gilbert. If Dan Gilbert handles David Griffin correctly, I think we're alright with Kyrie and LeBron” (“SportsNation,” ESPN, 7/24).

START AT THE TOP: SNY's Marc Malusis said the Cavs' problems "start really with Dan Gilbert" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 7/24). CBS Sports Network's Adam Schein noted Gilbert "haphazardly fired" Griffin after making the NBA Finals three straight years. Schein: "Griff did a great job of keeping egos in check. ... But Dan Gilbert didn't care about another championship. he wanted to remind everyone this is his team" ("Time To Schein," CBSSN, 7/24). ESPN's Michael Wilbon: "Here's where ... Dan Gilbert is an egomaniac wild man, because he had a damn good GM" ("PTI," ESPN, 7/24).

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