Kofi Inkoom
NBA insiders Joe Vardon, Shams Charania, and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic report that Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego are top contenders to become the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Additionally, Terry Stotts, formerly of the Trail Blazers, and Frank Vogel, recently let go by the Suns, are also under consideration, according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
The Cavaliers parted ways with JB Bickerstaff on Thursday morning after much deliberation, with some reports suggesting that Donovan Mitchell and other players had lost confidence in him.
Atkinson previously coached the Brooklyn Nets, posting a regular-season record of 118-170 and a playoff record of 1-4. Meanwhile, Borrego has a record of 148-183 with the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic. Vogel led the Suns to the first round of the playoffs but was swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bickerstaff compiled a regular-season record of 170-159 and a playoff record of 6-11 with Cleveland. Cavaliers president Koby Altman criticized Bickerstaff in front of the entire coaching staff for playing Mitchell heavy minutes against the Houston Rockets on December 18.
The team had a poor start, and Bickerstaff was nearly fired around Thanksgiving. In this year’s playoffs, the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games after defeating the Orlando Magic in the first round in seven games.
The offseason is crucial for the Cavaliers, as Mitchell can sign a contract extension worth up to four years and around $200 million. He also has a player option worth $37 million for the 2025-26 season.
Mitchell can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he declines his player option, however, the team is still hopeful they can resign him on an extension.