The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted long‑time insider Brandon Weems to general manager, placing him under team president Koby Altman. Weems, a former high‑school teammate of LeBron James, succeeds Mike Gansey after his move to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced on September 18, 2026 that assistant general manager Brandon Weems has been promoted to serve as the franchise’s general manager, reporting directly to team president Koby Altman. The move fills the vacancy left by Mike Gansey, who departed in May to become president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Weems, 40, has spent more than a decade with the Cavs, joining the organization as a scout in 2015 before rising through scouting and personnel roles to become assistant GM in 2022. Prior to his tenure in Cleveland, he coached at Oakland University and held staff positions at Drexel and Kentucky under John Calipari, and he played collegiately at Walsh University, where he helped capture an NAIA title in 2005.
Born and raised in Akron, Weems is a graduate of St. Vincent‑St. Mary High School, where he shared the court with future NBA superstar LeBron James. The two remain close; James publicly congratulated Weems on social media after the promotion, and James’ agent Rich Paul described Weems as “basically LeBron’s brother” during the free‑agency period earlier this summer.
Weems’ promotion comes as the Cavaliers continue to reshape their front office after Gansey’s exit. Sources confirmed the appointment to ESPN’s Shams Charania, and the organization released the news alongside other front‑office adjustments on the same day.
With a decade of scouting insight and a deep personal connection to the franchise’s marquee player, Weems is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Cleveland’s roster strategy and long‑term competitive outlook.