NEWSLETTER
The Cleveland Cavaliers have their next head coach.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, highly-respected assistant Kenny Atkinson will take over J.B. Bickerstaff’s old gig. He and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego were Cleveland’s two finalists.
Atkinson had served as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors since 2021.
Cavaliers Hire Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson first became a notable name in the coaching world during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. He helped a makeshift roster of sorts crack the postseason twice, as well as help develop young players like Jarrett Allen, D’Angelo Russell, and Caris LeVert.
Despite Atkinson building a respectable culture in Brooklyn, the organization decided to move on from him during his second season of the Kyrie Irving-Kevin Durant experience. He would go on to join Tyronn Lue’s staff in LA for a season before signing on with the Warriors, where he became arguably the league’s top assistant.
In fact, the Charlotte Hornets attempted to hire Atkinson to be their head coach during the Warriors 2022 title run. Atkinson had apparently agreed to take the opening before shockingly turning it down to return to Golden State.
The exact roster Atkinson will take over in Cleveland remains unclear. The franchise is reportedly working hard to re-sign star Donovan Mitchell to an extension. Obviously, keeping the five-time All-Star in the mix would come with lofty expectations for the franchise. If they can’t reach a deal with Mitchell and pursue a trade, however, Atkinson could find himself back in a devleopmental situation like he did in Brooklyn.
If one thing is for sure, regardless of the path the Cavaliers go down, there is reason to believe that Atkinson can get the job done.
