Cleveland Cavaliers Announce Former Golden State Assistant Kenny Atkinson As Head Coach

On Monday, GM Kolby Altman hired Kenny Atkinson as the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs were the second-to-last team in the NBA to hire a new headman after firing J.B. Bickerstaff, who spent four years with the team but never advanced out of the second round.

The search came down to New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego and Atkinson, but his age and championship experience gave him a leg up. Only the Detroit Pistons are missing a bench boss after firing Monty Williams one season into his six-year contract.

This is Atkinson’s next attempt as a head coach in the NBA, and his first opportunity since leaving the Brooklyn Nets in 2020 after spending four seasons with the team. However, he did not get a fair chance as Brooklyn tore down its roster during his reign. Atkinson spent the last three seasons as Steve Kerr’s top deputy, winning an NBA championship in his first year with the team. The Richmond alum almost left the West Coast to take the Charlotte Hornets job before getting cold feet and retracting his agreement. The 57-year-old worked on the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers benches throughout his coaching career.

The Cavaliers hope that Atkinson can be the answer to getting the team over the hump. While Cleveland had linear progress over Bickerstaff, advancing one round further in the playoffs each year, the front office felt he did not get the best out of the roster.

ESPN reported that the Cavs will offer star SG Donovan Mitchell a max contract, so Atkinson will have plenty to work with. Along with Mitchell, Evan Mobley, the # 3 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, carried the roster during their playoff series against the Boston Celtics and looks to take the next step in his development.