CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs have their man.
Sources inform cleveland.com {that a} lengthy and exhaustive search ended on Monday morning with the franchise selecting Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, thought of one of many favorites from the start, to exchange fired J.B. Bickerstaff. The Cavs and Atkinson, sources say, are presently engaged on contract particulars and an official deal is predicted quickly.
Extra Cavs protection
During the last month-plus, the Cavs performed quite a few interviews with upwards of 10 candidates — over Zoom and in particular person — and ultimately narrowed down their finalists to 3: Atkinson, New Orleans affiliate coach James Borrego and Minnesota’s Micah Nori, a trio who got here into city for in-person interviews and conferences with staff decision-makers.
Because the Cavs grew nearer to a choice, it got here all the way down to Atkinson or Borrego, with loads of backwards and forwards in regards to the two prime candidates.
In the end, after a gathering with chairman Dan Gilbert on Wednesday taking part in a big position, Cleveland selected Atkinson, the previous head coach of the Brooklyn Nets who stood out due to his management, educating, offensive thoughts and participant improvement background — a key level for a franchise that understands the significance of fourth-year ahead Evan Mobley.
Sources say star guard Donovan Mitchell, who the Cavs are optimistic of signing to an extension this summer time, had a dialog with Atkinson and gave his approval. Cleveland additionally spoke to a handful of different former Atkinson gamers, together with Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, whereas gathering intel and background info. Each Allen and LeVert, sources say, spoke extremely of Atkinson as a pacesetter and tactician.
A former faculty level guard, Atkinson began his NBA teaching profession as an assistant beneath Mike D’Antoni in New York about 15 years in the past. He received his first — and solely — head-coaching alternative eight years later, guiding the Brooklyn Nets via a rebuild and making the playoffs in his third season earlier than resigning amid an possession change and sweeping roster modifications that included the arrivals of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Throughout his time in Brooklyn, Atkinson went 118-190 general and 1-4 within the playoffs.
During the last three seasons, Atkinson has served as an assistant in Golden State beneath Steve Kerr. In 2022, Atkinson accepted the pinnacle teaching job of the Charlotte Hornets earlier than altering his thoughts and remaining with the Warriors. He has additionally labored as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2020-21), the Atlanta Hawks (2012-16) and New York Knicks (2008-12).
Atkinson replaces Bickerstaff, who was fired Might 23 after four-plus seasons in cost. He compiled a 170-159 regular-season document and guided Cleveland again to relevance — a training run that culminated with back-to-back playoff appearances and the franchise’s first sequence win with out LeBron James in additional than three a long time.
Bickerstaff was promoted from Cavs affiliate head coach in February 2020, changing John Beiling after a sloppy 14-40 begin that led to him stepping down earlier than finishing one full season within the NBA.
Whereas the Cavs gave Bickerstaff a contract extension via the 2026-27 season in December 2021, they moved on following the Jap Convention semifinal loss to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics final month, with president of basketball operations Koby Altman citing the necessity for a brand new voice and route.
“J.B. is a well-respected NBA coach and an unbelievable human-being,” stated Altman. “Over the previous 4 years, he helped set up a tradition that progressively drove gamers to turn into one of the best variations of themselves. Choices like these are by no means simple, significantly once you look again at the place this franchise rebuild began beneath his management. The NBA is a novel enterprise that typically requires aggressive risk-taking to maneuver a franchise ahead and in the end compete for championships.”
Hiring Atkinson as Bickerstaff’s successor is step one in vital offseason for the Cavs.