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Cleveland Cavaliers to promote Koby Altman to GM

By The Sports Xchange
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James battles Kris Humphries of the Atlanta Hawks for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on April 7, 2017. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James battles Kris Humphries of the Atlanta Hawks for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on April 7, 2017. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

A tumultuous day for the Cleveland Cavaliers ended with the franchise restoring some stability in its front office.

Hours after a report surfaced that Cavs star Kyrie Irving has asked the team for a trade, Cleveland filled its vacant general manager position by promoting assistant GM Koby Altman, multiple outlets reported Friday.

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A formal announcement of Altman's promotion is expected shortly, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

The 34-year-old Altman would join Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst as the NBA's youngest executives.

Altman was promoted to the position of assistant GM of pro personnel in September 2016. He joined the team in August 2012 as a pro personnel manager and was elevated to director of pro player personnel in September 2013.

He has served as the Cavaliers' acting GM since owner Dan Gilbert decided to move on from David Griffin after the two failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Gilbert reportedly offered the president of basketball operations position to retired NBA star Chauncey Billups, who decided to pass. Gilbert has had his sights set on promoting Altman to the post ever since, per ESPN.

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Irving, a four-time All-Star, no longer wishes to play alongside LeBron James and would like to join a team where he could be more of a focal point, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

The San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Miami Heat are all preferred destinations for Irving, ESPN reported.

The 25-year-old Irving is in the third year of a five-year, $90 million deal he signed before James returned to Cleveland. Irving was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft.

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