Report: Cavaliers Prioritizing Offensive Innovation And Creativity In Coaching Search

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Cleveland Cavaliers prioritize offensive innovation and creativity in their coaching search.

The Cavaliers are widely expected to hire James Borrego or Kenny Atkinson.

“Cleveland originally set forth a goal of replacing former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff by the start of the NBA Draft on June 26, prioritizing offensive innovation and creativity, sources said, for a Cavaliers roster that is still expected at this juncture to feature All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt, plus a frontcourt combination of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley,” Fischer wrote. “Despite a wealth of interest in both Garland and Allen on the trade market, Cleveland is not expected to entertain trade offers for any member of its core four at this time, sources said, while a league-wide expectation only grows that Mitchell will sign a contract extension with the club that acquired him from Utah back in September 2022.

“Mobley’s progression as a scorer and playmaker, in addition to his high-caliber defense, has been viewed both among Cleveland staffers and rival front offices as a critical component to the Cavaliers’ continued rise up the Eastern Conference, sources said.”

The Cavaliers were 20th in the NBA in points per game, seventh in points per game allowed, 18th in offensive rating, sixth in defensive rating and 13th in net rating this season under JB Bickerstaff, who was fired. 

Bickerstaff went 170-159 in the regular season and 6-11 in the postseason with the Cavaliers.

Cleveland defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. 

Mitchell and Mobley are expected to sign extensions with the Cavaliers this offseason and Garland and Allen will most likely be back despite both players receiving trade interest from other teams.