Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman tied for second in voting for NBA Executive of Year. The award instead went to Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleinman.
But Cavs owner Dan Gilbert believes Altman will get another crack at it.
“Our injuries hurt Koby’s chances to win this thing,” Gilbert tweeted. “I believe he will be a top contender again next year.”
While missing the playoffs, the Cavs finished 44-38 for their best record without LeBron James on the team since 1997-98. Despite the injuries Gilbert mentioned, that record was good enough for eighth-best in the Eastern Conference.
In the old days, that would have meant the playoffs. But this year, the Cavs lost two games in the play-in tournament, ending their season.
While they lost Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio early in the season, the broken finger suffered by All-Star center Jarrett Allen at the end seemed to seal their fate. Yet Altman, coach JB Bickerstaff and the players displayed a core and culture that offers promise for the future.
Clearly, Gilbert was much like the rest of the NBA, and took notice.
The next order of business for the Cavs will take place in the NBA Draft Lottery. They enter with the 14th-best odds to win. No one has ever jumped from 14 into the top four since the lottery began in 1985.
Our own President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman finished tied for second in NBA Executive of the Year. Congratulations to the winner, Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman. Our injuries hurt Koby's chances to win this thing. I believe he will be a top contender again next year
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) May 13, 2022
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
