News broke Monday morning, the Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring former Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as their head coach.
The Cavaliers fired coach JB Bickerstaff in May, likely in hopes of signing superstar Donovan Mitchell to a maximum contract extension. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi first broke the hiring, writing, "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."
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 spent the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant before joining Steve Kerr's staff on the Warriors as the top assistant the following year. Two years ago, Atkinson briefly accepted the Charlotte Hornets' head coaching job before reversing and remaining with the Warriors. Most fans are praising the hire, as the Cavs went with a safer option, unlike the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers hired retired sharpshooter and NBA analyst JJ Redick, who has no prior coaching experience.
