Cleveland Cavaliers: Gilbert “impressed” with Altman, could become candidate for job
After Chauncey Billups withdrew his name from contention for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office position, assistant GM Koby Altman could become a candidate.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who decided to not bring back general manager David Griffin, offered the position to Chauncey Billups, but he denied the offer. While not an official report or offer has been made, it seems that Gilbert has been impressed with Koby Altman, who was Griffin’s understudy.
According to Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Gilbert has been “impressed” with Altman.
Altman has served as the interim GM while Gilbert has been in the search for someone to fill the position. Billups, who is a legend in Denver, was the sole target for the position, so without him in contention, Gilbert really has no options at the moment.
Billups did turn down the offer humbly though. Per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Billups said this:
"“I have great respect for Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I greatly appreciate the discussions we had regarding their organization,” Billups told ESPN, where he works as an analysts. “As I have conveyed before, ultimately I would like to lead a team’s basketball operation and be a part of a successful franchise. But presently, the timing just isn’t right to delve into that role in Cleveland. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on broadcasting and my other business endeavors.”"
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The search continues. Billups is out, and Altman seems to have the lead. Hopefully, in the next couple days, a decision will be made regarding who will handle the operations around the beloved organization.