Cavaliers promote Mike Gansey to general manager

The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted Mike Gansey to the role of general manager, with the 39-year-old stepping up from his previous role as assistant.

The change comes after previous GM Koby Altman was elevated to the president of basketball operations last month, allowing Gansey, who has occupied a number of roles at the organisation since 2011, to make the step up.

The Cavaliers have emerged as a surprise contender in the NBA’s Eastern Conference this season, emerging from the All-Star break fourth in the East with a 35-23 record, just 2.5 games back of joint-leaders Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.

Gansey has had a key role in the team’s improvement, weighing in on the draft picks of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and the trades for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.

In a statement announcing the move, Altman praised Gansey’s previous work in Cleveland and looked forward to the pair continuing their front office partnership. 

“Mike has been an incredible resource to me and this organisation, and his work behind the scenes gives me great confidence that he is ready to take on more of a leadership role,” he said. 

“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.”

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats to the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers remain in contention for their first playoff appearance since LeBron James’ 2018 departure.

Recent speculation has focused on whether the four-time NBA MVP could return to the organisation after enjoying another fine individual season in a struggling Los Angeles Lakers team.