The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly hiring Kenny Atkinson as their next head coach, according to reports. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The farces of Athletic Charania.
Atkinson replaces JB Bickerstaff, who was fired on May 23 after five seasons.
This will be Atkinson’s second job as an NBA head coach after leading the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. Prior to his time with the Nets, Atkinson was an assistant for the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks from 2008 to 2016.
ESPN Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson as the franchise’s next head coach and the teams are working on a contract that is expected to be completed soon. pic.twitter.com/x60kBtvQDQ
—Adrián Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2024
After stepping down as Nets head coach in March 2020, Atkinson was hired by the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach in August 2021 and remained there through the 2023-24 season.
In June 2022, Atkinson reportedly reached an agreement to take over as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, but decided not to do so and stay with the Warriors.
Atkinson will have some familiarity in Cleveland. Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and guard Caris LeVert played for him in Brooklyn and he supposedly praised him when his teammates ask him.
The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. It was also the first time the franchise won a playoff series without LeBron James since 1993.
Now that the coaching situation is resolved, Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman can focus on trying to secure Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland. The five-time All-Star guard is eligible to sign a five-year, $269.9 million max extension when he becomes a free agent after the 2024-25 season.