Kenny Atkinson is the new head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Shams Charania. The Cavaliers are bringing in Atkinson to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, who had been with the team since 2019 and its head coach since 2020. The Cavaliers were the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference in 2023-2024 with a 48-34 record.
Atkinson, 57, had been on Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warrior staff since 2021, and has been an assistant and head coach in the NBA since 2008. The Long Island, N.Y., native was an assistant with the New York Knicks from 2008-2012, the Atlanta Hawks from 2012-2016, and the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2020-2021 season prior to Golden State. From 2016-2020, he was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, compiling a 118-190 record. The Nets enjoyed an 14-game turnaround from 2017-2018 (28 wins) to 2018-2019 (42 wins) under Atkinson.
The Cavaliers are coming off of a solid season with their previously mentioned 48-win campaign. Star guard Donovan Mitchell has a player option for the 2025-2026 season and there were questions as to whether he would return to the Cavaliers for 2024-2025 or be dealt, but the club may reach an extension with Mitchell soon, according to Charania.
In Brooklyn, Atkinson coached current Cavaliers Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert - Allen for three seasons and LeVert for four.
Atkinson becomes the 24th head coach in the history of the Cavaliers’ franchise.
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