(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a strong showing in the postseason, though they got eliminated by the Boston Celtics in five games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Cleveland, unfortunately, caught the injury bug at the wrong time as they saw Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell miss games in the series that cost them a chance at advancing.
Shortly after the Cavaliers were sent home, the organization decided to fire former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Bickerstaff’s dismissal was expected as there were rumblings that the team wanted to bring in someone who could better maximize the talent on the roster.
This hiring cycle features several former head coaches and it looks like Kenny Atkinson is the leader for the Cleveland job at this juncture via Jason Llyod of The Athletic.
“Still hearing Kenny Atkinson as leader for Cavs job but don’t be surprised if Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant’s name emerges. Bryant was an assistant in Utah when Donovan Mitchell was there. Sounds like Dan Gilbert is heavily involved, more than I originally thought,” Lloyd reported.
Still hearing Kenny Atkinson as leader for Cavs job but don’t be surprised if Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant’s name emerges. Bryant was an assistant in Utah when Donovan Mitchell was there. Sounds like Dan Gilbert is heavily involved, more than I originally thought.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) May 26, 2024
Atkinson spent the previous few seasons as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors and was on their bench when they won the 2022 NBA Championship.
Atkinson was most notably the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets but was let go midway through his final year with the team.
Only the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cavaliers are in the market for a new head coach so the latter should have it’s pick of the litter.
Though Atkinson’s in the lead for now, another candidate like Johnny Bryant could leapfrog him with a strong interview.
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