Report: Cavaliers To Look At Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts, James Borrego, Dave Joerger, Johnnie Bryant In Coaching Search

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Cleveland Cavaliers will look at Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts, James Borrego, Dave Joerger and Johnnie Bryant in their coaching search. 

Atkinson is widely considered the early favorite.

“Former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson is widely considered the early favorite, but the list of coaching candidates to replace J.B. Bickerstaff is said to include Borrego, Stotts, former Cavaliers coaching consultant Dave Joerger and Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, who is close with Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell from their time together in Utah,” Stein wrote. “The thinking on Stotts: Mitchell and Garland are reminiscent as a backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who were coached as a Portland duo by Stotts for eight seasons.”

The Cavaliers JB Bickerstaff, who went 170-159 in the regular season and 6-11 in the postseason with Cleveland. 

According to NBA reporter Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, Mitchell was aggravated by some of Bickerstaff’s tactics and strategies.

“Yes, Donovan Mitchell was one of those aggravated by some of Bickerstaff’s tactics and strategies,” Lloyd wrote. “He wasn’t alone, but a locker room follows its star. If Mitchell had Bickerstaff’s back, everyone else would fall in line. When he didn’t, the others fell into that line, too.

“I heard complaints that Bickerstaff was too hands on, that he wanted to be in control of everything at practices and shootarounds. Players grumbled about playing time, either too much or too little. Again, all fairly ordinary and pedantic. The most damning criticism, and one that sticks, is the second-half fade most of his teams here experienced. Injuries can be blamed for part of it, but he has to wear that one.”

Mitchell is under contract for next season and has a $37 million player option for 2025-26. He can sign a four-year, $208 million extension this summer.

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of this year’s playoffs in five games.