CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided on their next head coach as the team looks to take the next step forward in their quest for a championship.
On Friday, the Cavs officially announced the hiring of Golden State assistant coach Kenny Atkinson as the 24trh head coach in team history. Atkinson will be officially introduced at a press conference on Monday afternoon at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.
"We conducted a thorough and extensive search in the selecting of the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and today, we are excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman in a statement. “Kenny brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development, and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the vision we have for this franchise. His innovative approach will instill a style of play and brand of basketball that will give us a chance for sustainable success and ultimately compete for Championships. His familiarity coaching alongside some of the NBA’s best elevates this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court.”
The hiring of Atkinson was first reported on Monday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who also noted that Atkinson will get a five-year deal.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Atkinson. “This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future. I’ve seen firsthand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I’m so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward. I also want to thank Koby Altman and the front office for having the confidence in me and the shared vision we have for sustainable success in Cleveland.”
Atkinson, 57, has been an assistant with the Warriors for the past three seasons, winning an NBA championship in 2022. He spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, working under former Cavs head coach Ty Lue.
Atkinson, 57, has been an assistant with the Warriors for the past three seasons, winning an NBA championship in 2022. He spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, working under former Cavs head coach Ty Lue.
Before that, Atkinson was the head coach of the Nets for four years, compiling a 118-190 record with one playoff appearance. While he was head coach in Brooklyn, Atkinson worked with future Cavaliers players Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.
Atkinson began his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the New York Knicks in 2008. He moved on to Atlanta in 2012 as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer before getting his first head coaching opportunity in Brooklyn.
In 2022, Atkinson was offered the head coaching position with the Hornets after Charlotte fired James Borrego, who was also a candidate for the Cavs head coaching job this offseason. After briefly accepting the Hornets' offer, Atkinson changed his mind and remained in Golden State.
A native of Northport, New York, Atkinson has also held various coaching positions abroad, serving as director of player development and assistant coach for Paris Basket Racing Club in France (2004-06), director of player development and assistant coach for the National Team of the Republic of Georgia in the summer of 2006, assistant coach with the Ukraine National Team at the European Championships in 2011 and head coach of the Dominican Republic National Team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship held in Mexico City.
This summer, Atkinson will serve as an assistant coach with the French National Team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The arrival of Atkinson comes after the Cavs fired J.B. Bickerstaff in May. The 45-year-old Bickerstaff spent parts of five seasons as head coach of the Cavaliers, leading the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in each of the last two seasons. The Cavs won 99 regular season games over that span, but after disappointing postseason results, president of basketball operations Koby Altman said he felt like the team needed “someone with a new approach, someone with a different voice, a fresh set of eyes to help us move forward.”
With a new head coach apparently in the fold for the Cavaliers, their next priority will be to lock up All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to a long-term contract. The 27-year-old can sign a four-year, $200 million contract extension with the Cavs this summer.
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