Mountaineers in the Pros
Mike Gansey Brings LeBron James to 76ers in Major Move as GM
Already making major moves as he embarks on his next chapter in the NBA, Mike Gansey landed his biggest fish yet on Friday. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, LeBron James picked Gansey and the Philadelphia 76ers over a reunion with either the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gansey’s former team or the Miami Heat.
With Gansey, who James has known for many years now at the helm as Philadelphia’s new general manager, James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers. James then stated that this is his final decision and Philadelphia will be his last stop as part of a long message on social media.
Of course, James’ decision came down to his belief in the 76ers as a team more than his personal relationship with Gansey. But to Gansey’s credit, he also acquired former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics, a franchise ironically coached by fellow Mountaineer Joe Mazzulla.
Gansey agreed to take over the 76ers on May 30th, ending his 15-year run with the Cavaliers, a span of time that included overlapping with James’ 2014 return and then leading Cleveland to four-straight Finals appearances and the 2016 NBA championship.
As for Gansey, 43, he ascended up the ranks within the Cavaliers throughout his tenure. He went from G-League executive, to assistant general manager, to general manager, the position he held since being promoted in 2022, before his exit. The Cavaliers reached four NBA Finals, five Eastern Conference Finals, including this past postseason, and won the 2016 NBA championship, the first in franchise history, during Gansey’s time in Cleveland.
In an ironic twist, Gansey’s new team was eliminated by the New York Knicks in a sweep, just the same as his old team was. The 76ers lost to the Knicks in four games in the second round while the Cavaliers fell in the Eastern Conference Finals.
An Ohio native, Gansey played at WVU from 2004-06, helping the Mountaineers reach the Elite-Eight in 2005 and the Sweet 16 in 2006. Gansey averaged 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 68 games under former head coach John Beilein. He started his college career at St. Bonaventure.
Find more coverage of Mike Gansey at WV Sports Now.
