The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted former assistant general manager Brandon Weems to general manager, the team announced on Friday.
The team has also elevated Jon Nichols to associate general manager and Brendon Yu and José Calderón to assistant general managers.
Weems, an Akron, Ohio, native who played on the same high school basketball team as LeBron James and has a close relationship with him, has been part of the Cavaliers organization for 11 seasons, including the last four as assistant general manager (2022-2026). Weems also spent one season as the Senior Director of Player Personnel.
He replaced Mike Gansey, who became the president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to the team, Weems will take on increased responsibility across the organization’s basketball operations, including owning roster management and contract negotiations, overseeing global scouting, and managing day-to-day team operations.
He will also continue to work closely with Altman on the NBA Draft process, including player evaluations and rankings, background research, and statistical analysis of draft-eligible prospects.
Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman is pleased with Weems’ leadership.
“Brandon has earned this opportunity through more than a decade of exceptional work with the Cavaliers and by consistently demonstrating elite judgment and the expertise required to help lead our basketball operations,” said Altman. “He has been instrumental in our player evaluation and roster-building processes, has a deep understanding of our culture, and has grown into a tremendous leader.”
Yu is entering his 11th season with the Cavaliers organization. He spent four seasons as general manager of the Cleveland Charge (2019–2023) and added director of college scouting to his responsibilities before the 2022–23 season.
Nichols joined the organization before the 2013-14 season as director of analytics. Over the past four seasons (2022-26), he served as vice president of basketball strategy after one season as senior director of strategy and research.
Calderón spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing for seven different teams, including the Cavaliers’ NBA Finals run during the 2017-18 season. He rejoined the organization in 2022 as special advisor to the front office.
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