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Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cavaliers exec Koby Altman's stated desire to keep Cavs' core four is believable
INDEPENDENCE — A year ago, Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman told the truth about his desire to keep the core four intact. When Altman held a season wrap-up news conference on Monday, May 19, at Cleveland Clinic Courts, he doubled down on his appetite for maintaining the status quo with All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, All-Star forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen. Advertisement And because Altman kept his word last offseason, his most recent expression of faith in the core four is particularly believable. Altman is smart enough to know his stance won't be popular among all Cavs fans, not with their wounds still open from a severely disappointing 4-1 series loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. "If we were going to be reactionary, it'd been last year after everything that was written about that group and all the rumors and all this and that," Altman said at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "And we stood pat and look what happened, right? I think the same thing now as you lean in even more to what we're building, the culture that we have here, the internal growth, the youth, the sustainability of that. I think there's a championship window that we have here that's wide open, and that's one that we're going to try to pursue next year and the year after and the year after and so forth. "So we're not done by any stretch. But I would say if there was a time that we were going to crumble, potentially would've been last year. Certainly not after what we've seen from this group this year is something where we're going to break up a group that's been together for three years and has accomplished what they've accomplished and is ready to take that next step — as disappointing as this ending was." Advertisement Decision-makers for professional sports franchises are not always honest in their public messaging, and they can always use competitive advantage or leverage as justification for setting smoke screens. However, it doesn't appear to be the case with Altman's approach to this NBA offseason and the core four. Feel free to send emails full of taunts if this proves to be the wrong read, but Altman's thorough defense of the core four and the reasons he cited for optimism about the group's future came across as genuine. Altman realizes some outsiders are lobbying for splitting up the core four after the Cavs went 64-18 in the regular season and earned the Eastern Conference's No. 1 playoff seed, only to be bounced from the second round of the postseason by the fourth-seeded Pacers. Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman fields questions during a news conference, May 19, 2025. Here are the arguments Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman presented for keeping the Cavs' core four The core four has been together for three seasons, starting with the arrival of Mitchell in September 2022 via a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz. The Cavs were knocked out of the opening round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks two years ago, lost in the second round to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics last year and were humiliated by the Pacers in Round 2 this year. Advertisement With those results, Altman knows his arguments in favor of core-four continuity must be strong to limit how many eyes roll out of Cavs fans' heads. Altman explained this iteration of the Cavs has new elements on several fronts, pointing to … NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson coming off his first season with the franchise Atkinson's offense, which produced the second-best offensive rating (121) in league history in the regular season Championship expectations the team created with its success More Cavaliers: Cleveland Cavs need Evan Mobley to be top player, not 'nonexistent' in playoffs Aside from fresh factors, Altman mentioned the four conference finalists — the Pacers and New York Knicks in the East and Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves in the West — 'have zero rotational players missing' because of injury. It's Altman's way of reminding everyone Mitchell (calf strain, sprained ankle), Garland (sprained big toe), Mobley (sprained ankle) and backup wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained shooting thumb caused by dislocation) dealt with injuries during the playoffs. Mitchell played in every postseason game, Garland missed four of them and Mobley and Hunter each sat out one. Advertisement Altman also listed the Thunder, Celtics and Denver Nuggets as examples of organizations benefiting from staying the course with a core. And perhaps the concept Altman sought to emphasize the most is in-house improvements. He went there several times with Mobley, a first-time All-Star and NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 2024-25 season, but he included other members of the core four, too. 'I'm not counting out a 28-year-old Donovan Mitchell, who showed the most efficient year of his career and is dying to get to that next level,' Altman said. 'I'm not counting out 25-year-old Darius Garland. I'm not counting out a 23-year-old Evan Mobley. This is where we're going to get better, and this is where we're going to lean into, but we have to go through these experiences as tough as they are, fail quick and get up, lick our wounds and move forward.' Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends during Game 3 of a second-round playoff series May 9, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Is Cleveland Cavs center Jarrett Allen going to be the odd man out in the Cavaliers core four? Will the Cavs move forward with the 27-year-old Allen? Advertisement Barring something completely shocking, Mitchell and Mobley are locks as the faces of the Cavs for the foreseeable future, so dismantling the core four would almost certainly mean trading Garland or Allen. On one hand, Allen was conspicuously absent from Altman's quote about internal growth. On the other hand, Altman went to bat for Allen when the executive was asked about the big man's fit with the core four. Altman even compared Allen to Pacers center Myles Turner, citing Turner as an example of an organization being rewarded for sticking with a player whose future has been doubted by fans and media members. "They're not who they are without Myles Turner," Altman said. "And so, again, we gotta take caution before we say, 'Well, we're better without Jarrett.' "You're not going to get much better if you're talking about moving away from Jarrett. Jarrett's an important part of this core." Advertisement The Cavs had virtually the same roster for the 2024-25 season after losing to the Celtics in last year's playoffs. They didn't re-sign late-season addition and veteran forward Marcus Morris Sr. They also welcomed back guard Ty Jerome, who missed all but two games in the 2023-24 season with an ankle injury and surgery. It took until the Feb. 6 trade deadline for Altman to significantly stray from roster continuity. It's when he acquired Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Caris LeVert, forward Georges Niang, three second-round draft choices and two pick swaps. Cavaliers season ends: Cavs disappoint, underachieve in NBA playoffs and must adapt, evolve in offseason Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) defends during Game 1 of a second-round playoff series May 4, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers change their role players amid unmet playoff expectations? Will the Cavs re-sign Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill? As Altman made his presentation about the viability of the core four, he didn't convey a clear message about running it back with the same supporting cast. Advertisement When Altman was asked how he would characterize the degree of interest he has in retaining Jerome, who's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, he started to ask rhetorically if he were allowed to discuss Jerome's contractual status. Team brass, of course, is permitted to talk about its own players, and Altman quickly pivoted to doing so. He said, 'We'd love to keep Ty, but we'll see what the marketplace holds.' He mentioned guard Sam Merrill, another soon-to-be free agent, in the same breath as Jerome, saying they found confidence in Atkinson's system and thereby increased their value. Reading between the lines, Altman sounds more like someone who's planning to try to fix the roster around the edges than messing with the core four. If it's a valid interpretation, the Cavs would be more likely to move on from role players like Jerome, Merrill and forwards Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro instead of starters. The Cavs could let Jerome and/or Merrill walk in free agency. Wade and Okoro are under contract for next season, so they would only leave in a trade. Two candidates to join the core four in the starting lineup, small forward Max Strus and Hunter, are probably in a category of players less likely to be considered expendable. Advertisement Altman should definitely make some changes. And any moves executed this offseason must be done to add legitimate playoff toughness and experience to the roster. A lack of physicality and mental fortitude, especially in pressure-packed moments, resulted in the demise of the Cavs. Whether the Cavs can gain enough of it while preserving the core four is a needle Altman will seemingly attempt to thread. Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@ On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich . This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers' Koby Altman makes believable case for keeping Cavs core 4
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cavaliers update health status of injured trio
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (WKBN) – Joe Vardon of The Athletic is reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers are optimistic that their injured trio of standout players will try to play in game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. All-Star Darius Garland has missed the last four games with a sprained big toe. Fellow All-Star Evan Mobley is battling a sprained ankle, while De'Andre Hunter has a sprained thumb. According to head coach Kenny Atkinson, all three players participated in Thursday's walk-through, and are considered questionable on the injury report heading into game three. Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game three is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Independence police chief critical of current facility after failed vote
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Voters said yes to one General Obligation (G.O.) Bond on Tuesday night, but no to two others. Voters approved $55 million for roads, bridges, and sidewalks. They rejected millions of dollars for other projects, including a new police headquarters. Police Chief Adam Dustman told FOX4 he's disappointed Tuesday night's vote failed, saying he's asking more from his police officers every single day. The department's current headquarters is just east of Independence Square, known as the Central Police Building. Revoked student visas worrying international students in Kansas City 'But yet we're placing them in a work environment that is, on the best of circumstances less than desirable and on the worst of circumstances is down right unacceptable and atrocious,' he said Wednesday afternoon. Chief Dustman says it's his job to try to change the conditions that his officers work in. Before the vote, he showed residents the conditions of the Central Police Building. There's sewage from the pipes there, along with water damage in the main men's locker room. Tuesday's public safety bond failed by 10% because elections for bonds need to pass with 4/7ths of voters, or just more than 57%. 53% of the residents said no, and 47% of them said yes. 'While it is a risk from the recruitment side, I'm much more concerned about the today, which is the staff that we have here, the incredible men and women that are dedicated, and go out and do their job, and they're going to continue to do their jobs regardless of any sort of vote or you know, lack thereof,' he said. Chief Dustman added that he's concerned that other Jackson County, Mo. police departments will have better facilities than his with Tuesday's public safety bond failing. 'And you come here and you see the water infiltration and the health and safety issues that are here, there's a toll there and risk for sure,' he said. Two hours before Chief Dustman spoke, FOX4 talked to City Manager Zach Walker. 'I would say more disappointed,' Walker said when asked if he was surprised that the G.O. Bond for the new police facility failed. Even though that happened, some Independence Police Department workers will be moving to the city's Utilities Center at 291 Highway and 23rd Street. The new justice center or police department headquarters was supposed to go there, too. 'What we're not able to move, what we don't have space allocated for is the patrol units,' Walker said. 'So, people come in, go to their locker room, get dressed, go out on patrol, the firing range, and then the special operations unit, like the SWAT Team, the K9 Unit, things like that.' Two-year-old girl overdoses after ingesting methamphetamine, police say After question 1 failed, FOX4 asked how the city will ask the voters for a new justice center in the future. 'Yes, I do think we will be back. That need is not going away,' Walker said, talking about a new police building. 'We've outgrown the facility that we're in, and we're spread out over several different properties that, like I mentioned before, created a lot of operating inefficiencies.' The third G.O. bond question Tuesday asked voters to consider $12 million in bonds to upgrade the existing Independence Athletic Complex and improve historic buildings, including the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. That failed with 55.42% of the vote due to that 57% threshold mentioned above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SellYourWay.org Announces a New White Paper on How to Make Small Businesses Attractive to Potential Buyers
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, releases a new, in-depth white paper titled, Making Your Business Attractive to Potential Buyers. Valerie Vaughn, M&AMI, CM&AP, MCBI, and Senior Advisor at Apex Business Advisors, shares expert insights on how, with the right planning and preparation, business owners can significantly increase their business' value and saleability. is a website dedicated to educating small business owners about the business sales process and services Business Brokers provide. Founders and owners of small businesses often spend decades building their companies without selling in mind. This exclusive white paper provides strategic insights for small business owners that will make their lives easier as they operate their businesses and help them be well-positioned for an eventual sale. This article explains how to: Prepare the business for sale Document procedures and organize financials Reduce over-reliance on the owner Put together the right team for the sale "By educating small business owners on we aspire to facilitate the successful transference of business ownership under the expert guidance of professional Business Brokers." - Emily Bowler, Executive Director, IBBA Get these expert insights on About The mission of is to educate small business owners and the general public about the business sales process and the services that business brokers provide. The resources available on the site provide information to help business owners prepare for the successful sale of their businesses. About the International Business Brokers Association® Formed in 1984 and with nearly 3,000 members, the International Business Brokers Association® (IBBA) is the largest international not for profit association for business brokers. The association provides business brokers with education, free benefits, conferences, professional designations, support programs and networking opportunities, and awards the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)® designation to qualifying business brokers. To learn more, contact the IBBA directly at admin@ Social Media Handles Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn - Pinterest - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sell Your Way Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man says Independence hospital staff neglected grandmother for days
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A man claims staff at a Kansas City-area hospital neglected his grandmother and that she sat in a hallway for more than five days. 'No family member should have a loved one go through that,' grandson Kevin Hopkins said. Hopkins said while his grandmother was sitting in the hallway, she suffered a stroke and developed several bedsores. He said the chief nursing officer with the hospital told him they were sorry, and they'll work to do better. Two men charged in connection to deaths of 3 Chiefs fans in Northland backyard The then 97-year-old Gracie Reed fell and hit her head about a week before Christmas at her nursing home. She was moving from the bed to her wheelchair. An ambulance took Reed to Centerpoint Medical Center. Hopkins met her there on Saturday and doctors told him the CT scan came back OK. But they wanted to admit her. Reed has dementia and a nurse gave her medicine to calm down, according to Hopkins. He said staff sat her in a chair next to the nurse's station to keep an eye on her. When Hopkins came back to visit the next day, Reed was still sitting in the same chair in the hallway – and that's where she stayed for days. 'I was shocked, she's sitting out in a hall, nearly 98 years old,' Hopkins said. Hopkins said despite the family pushing for a room, Reed was left in the hallway for six days. 'It's just basic human dignity,' Hopkins said. When family visited – they found Reed in wet clothes. He said by Thursday, Reed had four bedsores on her back, bottom and heels. 'Neglect is not OK. They can't just assess somebody and go, we're just going to ignore this person,' Hopkins said. 'I'm angry and I want to get this message out, so it doesn't happen to somebody else.' While coming to visit, Hopkins found food trays stacked up, untouched. Hopkins said Reed's speech was slurred and the right side of her face was drooping. Hopkins believes she suffered a stroke and said doctors didn't run a CT scan for another day or two. This week, Hopkins said the chief nursing officer told him they did do a CT scan that Sunday. Hopkins said the nurse on the phone also apologized for the neglect and said they'll work to do better. Hopkins filed a complaint with the Missouri Department Health and Senior Services and Centerpoint. Chiefs parade shooting victim files lawsuit against KC Sports Commission A spokesperson for Centerpoint said they cannot comment on specific patient care, but did say, 'We regularly review our processes and when there is a complaint, work to resolve concerns. We are committed to constantly improving services to meet the needs of our community.' Hopkins believes a quicker reaction could've lessened the issues Reed now faces. He said her vision is severely diminished, she can't chew and will need a catheter for the rest of her life. 'I'm hurt, I'm angry,' Hopkins said. 'I realize her age, I realize she's not going to live forever, but what little, little quality of life and independence she had is gone.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
