Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

Cleveland Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman, announced today that Mike Gansey has been elevated to General Manager, having recently served as Assistant General Manager since being appointed in July of 2017.

Gansey will continue assisting Altman in scouting and personnel decisions, while increasing his role in the Cavaliers draft preparations and logistics.

“Mike has been an incredible resource to me and this organization and his work behind the scenes gives me great confidence that he is ready to take on more of a leadership role,” said Altman. “His community roots provides a unique perspective when evaluating players and the type of commitment needed to make a positive impact in Cleveland. I could not think of a better person to work alongside as we continue building this team toward sustainable success.”

Gansey, 39, has been part of the Cavaliers organization since 2011. Prior to his role as assistant GM, he was previously General Manager for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively-owned NBA G League team, where he earned the 2016-17 NBA G League Executive of the Year award. Gansey held a leadership role in the Charge’s front office for five seasons (2012-2017), including two seasons as the general manager and three as Director of G-League operations. During that span, his teams reached the playoffs in each of his five seasons.

A native of Olmsted Falls (OH), Gansey was a three-time All-State player at Olmsted Falls High School, where he remains the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,909 points) and was named the state’s Division II Player of the Year as a senior, finishing second in Mr. Ohio Basketball voting behind LeBron James.

Gansey played collegiately at West Virginia, where he led his team to the Elite Eight as a junior and helped the Mountaineers reach the Sweet 16 as a senior. He was also named a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Award, the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy and won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2005 World University Games. Additionally, Gansey was a First-Team All Big-East selection and an AP Honorable Mention All-American, and finished his collegiate career ranked third in school history in three-point percentage (39.4%), seventh in steals per game (1.75), ninth in field goal percentage (52.6%), 12th in minutes per game (32.12) and 18th in scoring average (14.35). Following his college career, he played professionally overseas for three seasons and in the NBA G League for two.

In addition to Gansey, Altman also announced the promotions of Brandon Weems to Assistant General Manager from his previous title as Sr. Director of Player Personnel; Jason Hillman to Vice President of Basketball Operations from his previous title as Basketball Chief of Staff/Team Counsel; and Jon Nichols to Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Personnel from his previous title of Sr. Director of Strategy & Research.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Koby Altman have reached an agreement on a new long-term contract extension, it was announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. Altman will also take on the title of President of Basketball Operations effective immediately.

“Today is a great day for the franchise and another step forward in realizing our vision that includes stability in leadership for the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert. “In extending Koby Altman’s contract and elevating his title to President of Basketball Operations, I have the utmost confidence in his ability and the culture he has established since taking over the basketball leadership role with our organization. Koby consistently adapts to the ever-changing landscape of the NBA and he has assembled a team whose players compliment each other’s talents both on and off the floor, in addition to a front office and coaching staff of top-notch basketball minds. I feel our organization is primed for sustainable and long-term success and that is in no small part thanks to Koby’s efforts, determination and talent. I look forward to what’s ahead for Koby and the Cavaliers.”

Per the team: Altman, who was hired as the 11th general manager in Cavaliers history on July 24, 2017, has helped transform the basketball operations department and Cavaliers roster with the signing of key free agents and acquiring draft assets and players via trade. Under Altman, the Cavaliers have made 22 total trades and 13 in-season trades, including three in-season moves that helped propel the team to their fourth straight Eastern Conference Championship in just his first season as GM. Since Altman and the Cavaliers’ 2018 NBA Finals run, he has accumulated 18 draft picks (three first round, 15 second round) and still owns all of the team’s remaining first round picks and 12 second round picks over the next seven seasons. Cleveland has also maintained roster flexibility, with 11 of their 15 current roster players at team options or non-fully guaranteed years at the end of their contract terms.

“It has been an honor and extreme privilege to represent this organization and I’m truly humbled by the confidence granted to me by our Chairman, Dan Gilbert,” said Altman. “His leadership has allowed us the freedom to incorporate our strategy and vision intended for the future of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. This is a first-class organization with a passionate and loyal fanbase. I will forever be grateful for this continued opportunity. With Dan setting the example and providing us with amazing resources, we are building something truly special here in Northeast Ohio. We remain committed to our player development program and our players have shown incredible growth and improvement this season. Our evolving culture is driven by our players, coaches and staff, who all play a significant role in defining what it truly means to be a Cavalier and we are very excited for our future.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have converted guard Brandon Goodwin into a two-way contract.

Also today, the Cavs waived center Tacko Fall.

Goodwin (6-0, 180) was signed to a 10-day contract on December 31 and has appeared in three games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 22.7 minutes. Goodwin also appeared in seven games (five starts) this season for the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the New York Knicks, averaging 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.86 steals in 35.1 minutes. In three previous NBA seasons (2018-2021), Goodwin spent time in Denver and Atlanta. Last season with the Hawks, Goodwin appeared in 47 games (five starts) and averaged 4.9 points and 2.0 assists in 13.2 minutes.

Fall (7-6, 310) appeared in 11 games (one start) for the Cavaliers this season. He has also appeared in five games (five starts) for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate and averaged 18.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in 27.3 minutes.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Brandon Goodwin to a 10-day contract via the NBA’s hardship exception.

Also today, the Cavs terminated the 10-day contract of Tre Scott, who was signed on December 22 via the NBA’s hardship exception from the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate.

Goodwin (6-0, 180) has appeared in seven games (5 starts) this season for the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the New York Knicks, averaging 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.86 steals in 35.1 minutes. In three previous NBA seasons (2018-2021), Goodwin spent time in Denver and Atlanta. Last season with the Hawks, Goodwin appeared in 47 games (5 starts) and averaged 4.9 points and 2.0 assists in 13.2 minutes.

Goodwin will wear jersey #26.

Scott appeared in one game on Dec. 26 versus Toronto at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Malik Newman to a 10-day contract via the NBA’s hardship exception, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Newman (6-3, 190) has appeared in 13 games (4 starts) this season for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate, averaging 17.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 27.3 minutes per contest. Newman has appeared in 77 total games for the Charge during his career, appearing in 25 games in 2018-19 and 39 games (31 starts) during 2019-20 in addition to this season. Newman has played in one career NBA game for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2019-20 season after receiving a 10-day contract.