CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Nets didn’t just lose a game Saturday night in Charlotte. It appears they are losing another valuable part of their front office.
Ryan Gisriel is leaving his job as Brooklyn’s executive director of basketball operations and is expected to take a job in the Hornets’ front office, a person familiar with the matter told The Post.
It’s a blow to general manager Sean Marks and the Nets.
Gisriel joined the Nets as an intern in 2013, serving as special projects coordinator and assistant GM.
He was eventually named Director of Basketball Administration and worked closely with the BSE Global Business Office to reach his current position.
He will now rejoin former colleague Jeff Peterson in Charlotte.
Peterson was hired as senior vice president of basketball operations.
Peterson, a disciple of Marks, is now the NBA’s youngest top executive at just 35 years old.
“The Nets organization… they have great people in that organization. I arrived there five years ago and frankly, I had no idea what to expect. But it really was one of the best times of my career,” Peterson said in his introduction. “I met a lot of people there, and frankly, they helped me grow and prepare me for this situation.
“Every player I interacted with there, that organization, the coaching staff, the performance staff, the front office staff pushed me and made me better every day. Specifically, Joe Tsai, Clara I would like to thank Tsai, Ollie Weisberg, and of course Sean Marks. They have been great to me and my family and ultimately allowed me to take the next jump in my career. Thank you.”
It’s also a reunion of sorts for Peterson, who was in Brooklyn during the 2021-22 season when Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was a consultant on the Nets’ staff.
“It’s funny, you never know how life is going to turn out. So Cliff and I crossed paths in Brooklyn. He was part of our coaching staff there. I didn’t know him before that. I thought he was just an angry guy who never smiled,” Peterson said jokingly. “But I quickly realized that wasn’t true, whether it was at dinner or on the golf course or whatever it was.
“I’m so grateful to have spent that year with him. [from him]. I can’t tell you how valuable it was to sit with him and pick up his brain, the stories he told, the things he saw succeed and fail. I’m excited to be reunited with Cliff. ”
Clifford, 62, said he formed a bond with Peterson in Brooklyn.
“Jeff and I used to play golf a lot in Brooklyn,” Clifford said. “We were at a comfort level and spent a lot of time together there. And he’s a talented guy, a good basketball player. He’s a great asset.”
Dayron Sharp (right wrist) returned after missing the past two games.
Cam Johnson (right ankle) is out and will not join the team Sunday in Cleveland. Lonnie Walker IV (illness) did not play and remained at the team hotel. His status with the Cavs is up in the air.
