Koby Altman counting on Cavaliers' continuity, growth from within

Cleveland Cavaliers president Koby Altman is typically one ofthe NBA's busiest executives when the trade deadline comes around.In fact, since taking over for David Griffin as the Cavs' generalmanager in July 2017, there hadn’t been a single deadline where hestood pat.

On Thursday, that changed, as the Cavaliers decided not to makea trade.

“My guys over there, they said, 'Koby I'm proud of you,' for not[making a move],” Altman said with a grin at Cleveland ClinicCourts in his first media appearance this season. “Because youcould make deals. You can. There's things you can land the planeon. Don't just do something to do something. Let's be very, veryintentional with what we're doing. It's different when you're inasset collection mode. It's different when you're trying toaccumulate picks. That becomes a different motivation. I thinkwhere we are now is being very, very intentional [with] how you'regoing to help this young core grow and set them up for success. Andif the move wasn't there to do it, don't do it. I guess we sat thisone out.

“I think there's value in continuity. I think there's value ingiving this group a runway. And sometimes as a GM, you just say toyourself, 'Don't mess this up.' And I think that was a big key forus this deadline. [That's] not easy for me; you guys know I'mvolume-heavy. But to take a step back and realize the growth we'veseen already, mixed with the results... I didn't see anything thatwas appreciably gonna make us better and put us over the top. Andso, I'm really happy with where we are and where we're going.”

We all know the NBA community abides by awhat-have-you-done-for-me-lately code, but remember DonovanMitchell? The 26-year-old first-time All-Star starter who’s alreadystamped his name in the Cavs history books and helped leadCleveland to a torrid start? One of the best shooting guards in theleague who’s already won two Player of the Week awards and hasbrought 39 games worth of playoff experience with him to the team?The dude who dropped 71 freaking points in onenight?

Lest we forget that Altman already launched his full-court heaveon the first day of September, prior to the frenzy that was thispast week.

“I'm really glad we did what we did in the summer, to bring in aDonovan Mitchell, because it's so competitive — hyper-competitivein the trade market, hyper-competitive in the standings. And so,that was our big move to really lift our ceiling,” Altman said. “Iknew that we weren't going to top that move come trade deadline(laughs). I think it's been a seamless fit. I think it's been somereally exciting basketball... I think we had a great future withoutDonovan, and I can't imagine not having him right now.

“We don't need to take swings. We don't need to take these ‘findthis incredible talent that you have to build around’ (approaches).I think we've found that, which is the hardest part. And now, doesit work within the group and does it make the team better?”

Altman’s reasoning behind this approach is logical in short-termand long-term lenses. First and foremost, he brought up thedelicate nature of a rare, connected locker room. That’s why,though he’ll leave open the idea of scouring the buyout market withan open roster spot available, everything will be about fit andskill set when it comes to any addition.