Koby Altman looks back and forth as the Cavaliers head into the big season
Was the 2025-2026 Cleveland Cavaliers’ trip to the Eastern Conference Finals a fluke or a sign of hope for the upcoming season?
In the Cavs’ front office, there is pride in the team’s accomplishment — its first conference finals appearance since 2018 — but disappointment lingers after being swept by the New York Knicks.
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“I always say two things can be true,” Cavs president of basketball Koby Altman said Friday, May 29, at the season-ending news conference. “We hated the way it ended. We are disappointed with the way it ended. I think the reason for that is that we have high expectations. We have built this thing to a high level, and we know we can be better. But the other thing that can be true is that we can be proud of what we have achieved here, proud of what we have built.”
Altman was tight-lipped about Game 1 of the conference finals. The Cavs led by 22 points in the fourth quarter, only to lose in overtime.
“I think for us, if we’re honest and forthright, when we lost Game 1, that had an impact on us,” Altman said. “That was the time to put them on their heels and stop that momentum they had, and then we gave it away.”
In reviewing the conference finals, Altman saw one play a key role in the outcome.
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“We missed a lot of open shots and it’s not something to get better at,” he said. “I don’t know what it was. You get to this level, shooting issues. Especially in that series, we missed a lot of open shots so the shots were big and consistent. [the Knicks] crime was a big part.”
Since the Cavs are playing a lot of playoffs every day, Altman said the team must start preparing now to avoid getting tired of playing something big in the future.
“We have to be better about wanting to play longer.” Altman said. “If we’re going to use it [tired] legs as an excuse, that means we have to start now in terms of our preparation, endurance, fitness, because everyone is going through that right now. “
Altman understands that fatigue can affect a game, but he doesn’t want to see that as an excuse.
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“I’m not saying there’s no fatigue and mental fatigue, but you have to give yourself a chance,” Altman said. “And that’s why we’re disappointed because we’ve built ourselves up to the expected level and the level where we want to reach the finals and compete in that tournament, so anything small is just an excuse. We’re not going to go there.”
Altman said he had various conversations with staff, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and players about the team’s next steps. He said their discussions are all related to bringing another tournament to Cleveland.
“We have a foundation here to put us in a position to compete. It’s been a long road to get here. We have to figure out how to break through another season,” said Altman.
Koby Altman praises the players, the growth of the Cavs throughout the NBA playoffs
The Cavs reached the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. They went 52-30 this past regular season, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference after being the top seed last year.
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Each year, as the Cavs have improved, they have looked to improve themselves through player development and acquisition of key contributors from the outside, such as the trade for All-Star guard James Harden in February.
“This team is still as young as when you talk about adding Harden at the last minute,” Altman said. “Over the last five years, we’ve restructured and added to the system. This is definitely not a place where we need to blow this up and start over.”
Altman also talked about Donovan Mitchell’s personal impact on the team and the success he brought the Cavs. The team acquired Mitchell before the 2022-23 season to jump start this playoff run.
“Donovan is our guy,” Altman said. “Four years without him, no playoffs. Four years with him, playoffs. He elevated everything about this business and the organization. He finally went to the conference finals, and he wants more. We’re getting him at his best right now.”
Cleveland Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman, speaks to attendees at the Cleveland WNBA event celebrating the return of professional women’s basketball to Ohio, Sept. 16, 2025, at Rocket Arena, Cleveland.
Between Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley, they played an important role in the first two rounds of this year’s playoffs against the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
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In the Cavs’ Game 7 win over the Raptors, Allen tallied 22 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He dominated the third quarter, scored 14 points and lifted the Cavs into the fourth quarter.
“Game 7 JA, will be etched on the walls somewhere in Cleveland history, and it will be because we needed him in those moments and in those moments when our season was on the way. He was amazing,” said Altman.
Mobley keyed Cleveland’s first road win of the 2026 playoffs, Game 5 in Detroit, as he hit big 3-pointers and made foul shots.
“Mobley … you could argue he was our best player during the playoffs,” Altman said. “He was good for us. That 3-ball gave us all the confidence. We didn’t see that from him two, three years ago.”
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Mobely’s name is prominent in any trade speculation involving the Cavs. Altman has made it clear that he won’t talk about trade rumors. With what he considers a top-notch roster heading into the offseason, he said any changes would have to be discussed further.
“When you have a good deep roster, you have to make tough decisions,” Altman said. “And, so, we’re going to start being deliberate about what that means and who we can bring back.”
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be reached by email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs CEO Koby Altman reflects on season, says team needs to get better.
