Koby Altman Signs Extension With Cavaliers After Playoff Exit

Koby Altman has signed another contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, this time following a 64-win regular season and a second-round playoff exit to the Indiana Pacers in a five-game series. The extension marks Altman’s third since becoming general manager in 2017, a role he took over from David Griffin.

Altman has overseen a dramatic transformation of the Cavaliers franchise. He managed the final year of LeBron James’ tenure and then initiated a full rebuild. His tenure has included pivotal trades such as acquiring Darius Garland in a draft day swap with the Brooklyn Nets, and Jarrett Allen in a 2021 blockbuster involving James Harden. In 2023, Altman moved quickly to trade for Donovan Mitchell, helping to accelerate Cleveland’s timeline toward contention.

The 2024-25 season was a turning point. Cleveland’s 64 wins marked a franchise record in the LeBron era and placed them first in the Eastern Conference. Despite this success, the team fell to the Pacers in the second round. Altman’s decision to pivot away from Garland at the trade deadline by acquiring James Harden was a bold move that drew both praise and scrutiny.

Mitchell’s acquisition was a calculated risk. The Jazz were not on Altman’s preferred list of teams to trade with, but a deal was struck that brought the All-Star guard to Cleveland. Mitchell averaged 23.5 points per game during the regular season and provided the scoring punch the Cavaliers lacked in previous years.

“ The hardest part,” a Cavs team source told ESPN, “is when do you press go? Like, when do you want to really press go with a rebuild or with your assets? And it was that summer when we saw how good Evan was and how good our core three were: Darius, Jarrett and Evan.”

The Cavaliers’ core of Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley is now fully in place. Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, averaged 14.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season. His development has been a key factor in Cleveland’s recent success.

With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching and free agency looming, Altman will face more decisions. The team must decide whether to retain Harden or pivot again, and whether to continue building around Mitchell and Mobley. Cleveland’s next move could shape the franchise’s future for years.