In Charlotte on Saturday night, the Nets suffered not only a defeat but also the impending departure of a key figure from their front office. Ryan Gisriel, currently serving as Brooklyn’s Executive Director of Basketball Operations, is reportedly set to join the Hornets’ front office, sources close to the matter disclosed to The Post. This transition represents a setback for general manager Sean Marks and the Nets organization.
Gisriel’s journey with the Nets began as an intern in 2013, gradually rising through the ranks to roles like special projects coordinator, assistant to the GM, and eventually director of basketball administration. His most recent position involved close collaboration with the BSE Global business office. Now, he is poised to reunite with former colleague Jeff Peterson in Charlotte. Peterson, appointed as executive VP of basketball operations, stands as the NBA’s youngest top executive at the age of 35, having been nurtured under Marks’ guidance.
Reflecting on his time with the Nets during his introduction, Peterson expressed gratitude towards various individuals within the organization, highlighting their instrumental role in his development. He specifically thanked Joe Tsai, Clara Tsai, Ollie Weisberg, and Sean Marks for their support and encouragement.
For Peterson, this move to Charlotte represents a reunion with Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, with whom he had previously crossed paths during Clifford’s consultancy with the Nets in the 2021-22 season. Peterson fondly recalled the experience of learning from Clifford and expressed excitement about reuniting with him in their new roles.