Koby Altman Reaffirms Evan Mobley as Cornerstone of Cavaliers’ Future
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Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said Friday that forward-center Evan Mobley remains an essential part of the franchise’s long-term plans, brushing aside continued trade speculation.
Asked during an availability whether Mobley is expected to return next season, Altman offered a brief but direct response. “Yeah, I mean, he’s part of our future,” he said.
The comment comes as Cleveland is frequently mentioned in high-profile trade rumors following its Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the New York Knicks, including hypothetical deals involving Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Altman declined to discuss any specific scenarios but underlined the organization’s confidence in its 22-year-old big man.
“Since Evan’s been here, we’ve had the third-best record in the league,” Altman noted. “All Evan has done is impact winning. He’s been remarkable for us.”
Mobley, drafted No. 3 overall in 2021, is regarded within the team as one of the NBA’s most versatile young frontcourt players. Altman said the 6-foot-11 standout is focused on adding strength and advancing the “intangibles” of his game as he targets another developmental leap.
Pointing to the recent postseason, Altman added, “Mobley, you could argue, was consistently our best player throughout the playoffs. He’s a franchise-caliber player, and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Despite persistent outside chatter, the Cavaliers continue to publicly describe Mobley as a foundational piece rather than a trade chip.
Source: Hoops Wire
