Cleveland is in win-now mode, so it's a longshot they’d bring on a rookie head coach to replace J.B. Bickerstaff. They want someone with experience in that role. Former Brooklyn Nets coach and current Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson has emerged as an early favorite for the job, according to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.
Exciting Points to Note:
- Cleveland’s Summer of Change: The Cavaliers are heading into a transformative summer with several key decisions on the horizon.
- Donovan Mitchell's Future: A pivotal moment for the team will be whether Donovan Mitchell signs a max contract extension. If he does, Darius Garland might be traded, as the Garland/Mitchell backcourt hasn’t met expectations. If Mitchell doesn’t sign, the team must consider trading him to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025.
- Frontline Decisions: There are also questions about the pairing of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, especially if Mobley is up for a max or near-max contract extension.
Atkinson’s potential hire comes with a compelling background. He spent four seasons in Brooklyn, where he helped build a culture that attracted stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Despite his success, Atkinson didn’t gel with the two stars and was quickly pushed out. He almost became the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets in 2022 but backed out during final negotiations.
When ownership is deeply involved in a coaching search, or in player and roster decisions, outcomes can be unpredictable. Despite this, Atkinson would be a solid hire for Cleveland.
Cleveland GM Koby Altman mentioned he doesn’t foresee major roster changes this summer, but for the Cavaliers to compete at the highest levels in the East, some adjustments are necessary. The coach who steps in will face immense pressure to win immediately, reflecting the high expectations in Cleveland.
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