The Cleveland Cavaliers have promoted Brandon Weems to serve as general manager under team president Koby Altman, the team announced Friday.
Weems has been in the Cavaliers organization for the past decade, rising from scouting and personnel positions to be the team's assistant general manager since 2022. He replaces Mike Gansey, who was hired as the Philadelphia 76ers' president of basketball operations in May.
"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," Altman said in a statement. "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."
Weems, 40, is a childhood friend and former high school teammate of LeBron James. James' agent, Rich Paul, referred to Weems as "basically LeBron's brother" during the superstar's free agency process this summer. Paul indicated that Weems' presence was a pro in the Cavaliers' pursuit before James ultimately chose to sign with the 76ers.
James congratulated Weems on social media for getting the general manager job, writing "YESSIR!!!! Congratulations my brother @BrandonWeems10!! Proud of you man."
Among the other moves in the front office Friday, the Cavaliers named former NBA player Jose Calderon to assistant general manager. Calderon had served as a special adviser to the front office since 2022.
Before joining the Cavaliers, Weems was an assistant coach at Oakland University. He has also served on the staffs at Drexel and Kentucky, where he worked under coach John Calipari.
He played college basketball at Walsh University, winning an NAIA title in 2005.