Kenny Atkinson expected to return as Cavs coach next season

The Cavaliers are sticking with coach Kenny Atkinson.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Atkinson will return for a third season in Cleveland despite the team’s disappointing Eastern Conference finals sweep at the hands of the Knicks.

“Sources tell me that Kenny Atkinson will return for a third year as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed on NBA Today. “His job is safe.”

Charania pointed to Cleveland’s steady progress under Atkinson, noting the Cavs have posted a franchise-best winning percentage above 70 percent during his first two seasons.

The Cavs reached the second round last year before advancing to the Eastern Conference finals this spring — the franchise’s first trip that far without LeBron James since 1992.

Atkinson also won NBA Coach of the Year honors last season.

There had been growing speculation about Atkinson’s future after Cleveland was swept by New York and repeatedly looked overwhelmed throughout the series. Atkinson also faced criticism for saying the Cavs had “analytically” earned two expected wins earlier in the matchup.

Still, several key figures within the organization publicly backed him after the Game 4 loss.

“I love Kenny,” Donovan Mitchell said. “We love Kenny. I ride with Kenny.”

James Harden offered similar support.

“He understands his team,” Harden said. “Of course, somebody’s going to have to take criticism. But Kenny did an unbelievable job getting me acclimated as fast as possible.”

Charania added that the Cavs are expected to remain aggressive this offseason as they look for roster upgrades around Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

“I expect the Cavaliers’ front office to be opportunistic with potential roster upgrades this offseason,” Charania said.

That likely means Cleveland’s offseason focus now shifts away from the coaching staff and squarely onto the roster.