CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Nets didn’t just lose a game Saturday night in Charlotte; they appear to be losing another valuable piece of the front office.
Ryan Gisriel is expected to leave his job as Brooklyn’s Executive Director of Basketball Operations and take a job in the Hornets’ front office, sources familiar with the situation told The Post.
It is a blow to general manager Sean Marks and the Nets.
Gisriel had started with the Nets as an intern in 2013 and went to special projects coordinator and assistant to the GM.
He was eventually named director of basketball administration, and was promoted to his current position, working closely with the BSE Global business office.
Now he’ll rejoin former co-worker Jeff Peterson in Charlotte.
Peterson was hired as executive VP of basketball operations.
Peterson, Marks’ protegee, is now the youngest top executive in the NBA at just 35.
“The Nets organization … there’s some amazing people affiliated with that organization. I got there five years ago and, quite frankly, I didn’t really know what to expect. But truly one of the better times in my career,” Peterson said at his introduction. “I’ve met so many people there and, quite frankly, they’ve helped develop me and prepare me for this situation.
“All the players that I’ve interacted with there and that organization, staff members from coaching staff, performance staff, front office, they pushed me, they made me better each and every day. So specifically, I do want to say thank you to Joe Tsai, Clara Tsai, Ollie Weisberg, and, of course, Sean Marks. They were great to me, my family and they allowed me to ultimately take this next jump in my career.”
It’s also a reunion of sorts for Peterson, who was in Brooklyn in 2021-22 when Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was a consultant on the Nets’ staff.
“It’s funny, you just never know how life’s going to work out. So Cliff and I, we crossed paths in Brooklyn. He was a part of our coaching staff there. Before that, I didn’t know him. I thought he was just this angry guy that never smiled,” Peterson said jokingly. “But I quickly realized that was not true, whether it was at dinners or on the golf course or whatever it was.
“I’m so thankful to be able to really have that year with him because I learned [from him]. I can’t tell you how valuable it was just to sit with him and pick his brain, stories he’s told and what he’s seen that’s been successful and what hasn’t been successful. I’m excited to be reunited with Cliff.”
Clifford, 62, said he formed a bond with Peterson in Brooklyn.
“Jeff and I used to golf in Brooklyn,” Clifford said. “We have a comfort level, we spent a lot of time together there. And he’s a talented guy, he’s a good basketball guy. He’s a great hire.”
Day’Ron Sharpe (right wrist) returned after missing the prior two games.
Cam Johnson (right ankle) was out and will not join the team Sunday in Cleveland, either. Lonnie Walker IV (illness) didn’t play, left at the team hotel. His status for the Cavs is up in the air.