The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally chosen their new head coach, with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reporting that the Eastern Conference franchise is hiring Golden State Warriors assistant head coach Kenny Atkinson.
“ESPN Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson as the franchise’s next head coach and sides are working on a contract that’s expected to be completed soon.”
Atkinson now becomes the successor to JB Bickerstaff, who was let go by the Cavs following a second-round exit from the 2024 NBA Playoffs at the hands of eventual NBA champions Boston Celtics. Bickerstaff coached the Cavaliers from the 2020-21 NBA season to the 2023-24 campaign, a stretch that saw the Cavaliers make the playoffs twice, though, they were not able to progress beyond the Eastern Conference semifinal round.
In any case, Cleveland will now be under a new head coach, who will be a head coach again. Atkinson coached the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. During his stint with the Nets, Atkinson put together a coaching record of 118-190. Brooklyn made the playoffs just once under Atkinson in 2019 where the Nets got taken out of the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Atkinson is familiar with at least a couple of Cavs assets, thanks to his time with the Nets. It can be recalled that before Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert found their way to Cleveland, they were part of Atkinson's Nets.
After parting ways with the Nets in 2020, Atkinson became an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2020-21 campaign. He then went to the Golden State Warriors to serve as an assistant coach, helping Steve Kerr steer the Dubs to an NBA championship in 2022.
Apart from his stints with the Nets, Clippers, and Warriors, the 57-year-old Atkinson also previously served as member of the coaching staff of the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.
Atkinson emerged as the winner of the coaching gig in Cleveland that also included New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego.
With the coaching search apparently over for the Cavs, they can spend increased focus on another major objective in the 2024 offseason which is to sign star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell to an extension deal.
Social media reacts to the Cavs landing Kenny Atkinson as next head coach
“This should be rather good.! Interesting development”
“Really good hire for the Cavaliers. Also fun subplot is Caris LeVert is back to being coached by Kenny Atkinson”
“Cavs front office has been better than the Lakers since 2012”
“Welcome to the Land Coach ”
“Should I be concerned about his 118-190 record as a head coach?🫨”
“Im not even mad about this move. Atkinson is the exact type of coach Cleveland needs to succeed.”
“Sensible hire but they definitely need to make some drastic roster changes to go along with it.”
“GREAT HIRE, KENNY ATKINSON DID GREAT THINGS IN BROOKLYN”
“Solid choice! Excited for Atkinson in Cleveland! 🏀”
“Player development is top notch!! Good X and O guy too.”
“Still think Bickerstaff should not have lost his job but excited for Atkinson too”
“Exciting news for the Cavs! Kenny Atkinson is a fantastic hire as the next head coach! 🌟 Known for his development skills, just look at what he did with Jarrett Allen in Brooklyn! 🙌 Can't wait to see the impact he'll have in Cleveland! #Cavs #KennyAtkinson”
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