[1] Altman received his bachelor's degree at Middlebury College as a Posse Foundation Scholar,[5] where he was a three-year starter at point guard for the basketball team.

[8][9] Altman joined the Cavaliers front office in 2012,[6] would gradually rise through the ranks, was part of the 2016 NBA Championship team as director of pro personnel, and became assistant general manager for the 2016–17 season before being promoted to GM on July 24, 2017.

[13][14][15] In his first major move as general manager, he acquired an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick (through the Brooklyn Nets), All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, rookie center Ante Žižić, small forward Jae Crowder, and a 2020 second-round pick (through the Miami Heat) from the Boston Celtics in exchange for disgruntled star point guard Kyrie Irving.

[16] In September 2017, Altman's second major move came in the signing of three-time NBA Champion and multi-time All-Star guard Dwyane Wade.

In return, the Cavaliers received Rodney Hood, George Hill, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr.