Cleveland Cavaliers Hiring Kenny Atkinson As Head Coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to hire Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as their next head coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday. View the details below.

Kenny Atkinson To Become Cavaliers Head Coach

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. pic.twitter.com/x60kBtvQDQ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2024

Atkinson and the Cavaliers have begun working on contract details, with a deal expected soon.

The Cavaliers' coaching search came down to Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego. Atkinson gets the nod to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired after Cleveland's second-round loss to the Boston Celtics.

Atkinson has served as an assistant under Steve Kerr in Golden State for the last three seasons.

Two years ago, Atkinson accepted the Charlotte Hornets head-coaching position before changing his mind to stay with Golden State.

Atkinson previously served as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2020.

After the Nets went 48-116 in his first two seasons, Atkinson completely turned the franchise around in his third year. Brooklyn finished the 2018-2019 season with a record of 42-40. The Nets fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

Cleveland Cavaliers Roster Going Into Next Season

I covered Kenny Atkinson during his Nets run.

What always stuck with me was him turning Brook Lopez (before that, Al Horford) into SHOOTERS — both helped their teams win titles as a result.

Now he could do the same for Evan Mobley.https://t.co/XuGSsqhl2L @ActionNetworkHQ

— Bryan Fonseca 🇵🇷 (@BryanFonsecaNY) June 24, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers face multiple important roster decisions heading into the 2024-2025 season. The Atheltic reported that the Cavaliers plan to offer star Donovan Mitchell a four-year, $209 million extension once Atkinson finalizes his deal. Mitchell is entering the final year of his deal, so if he does not sign this summer, expect the Cavaliers to trade him to a new team before the season starts.

However, The Atheltic's report states that the Cavaliers organization is “confident” Mitchell will sign the extension.

If Mitchell signs the extension, Darius Garland could request a trade (via The Athletic). Garland is a young, ascending star, so Cleveland would need multiple players and draft picks in a Garland trade.

Then, there's Evan Mobley, whose development as an offensive player has been stunted. Atkinson helped Brook Lopez turn into a consistent jump shooter with the Nets. Atkinson will try to do the same with Mobley, who is only 23 years old.