The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly hired Kenny Atkinson as their next head coach, according to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Atkinson will be taking over from J.B. Bickerstaff, who was let go after five seasons with the team. This marks Atkinson’s second head coaching job in the NBA, having previously led the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.
Before his time with the Nets, Atkinson served as an assistant for the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks from 2008 to 2016. In August 2021, he joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach and remained with the team through the 2023-24 season. Despite reports of Atkinson potentially becoming the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets in 2022, he ultimately decided to stay with the Warriors.
Atkinson will find some familiar faces in Cleveland, as both Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and guard Caris LeVert played for him during his time with the Nets. The team recently made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals before being eliminated by the Boston Celtics. This marked the first time the Cavaliers won a playoff series without LeBron James since 1993.
With the coaching situation resolved, Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman can now shift his focus to securing the future of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who will be eligible for a significant contract extension after the 2024-25 season. Mitchell’s decision will be crucial for the team as they aim to build on their recent success and become a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference.