Cavs could tweak coaching staff while keeping Kenny Atkinson, Koby Altman

The Cavaliers are not expected to make sweeping changes after their disappointing Eastern Conference finals exit.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Cleveland plans to retain coach Kenny Atkinson after the Knicks completed a four-game sweep Monday night. Sources previously told Hoops Wire that president of basketball operations Koby Altman is also expected to remain in place.

In other words, the Cavaliers appear set to run it back at the top. That doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be changes elsewhere.

League sources continue to suggest Cleveland could examine adjustments to Atkinson’s coaching staff this offseason, particularly on the defensive side.

One outside executive told Hoops Wire the Cavs would benefit from adding more of a “defensive coordinator” voice to the bench heading into next season.

Atkinson just completed his second year in Cleveland and still has three seasons remaining on his contract. He guided the Cavs to 64 wins and an Eastern Conference finals appearance this year — the franchise’s first trip that far without LeBron James since 1992.

Still, several playoff decisions drew criticism.

Cleveland blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 against New York and never recovered in the series. Atkinson also faced scrutiny throughout the postseason for lineup decisions, timeout management and his now-infamous “analytically” earned wins comment.

Despite that, both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden publicly backed their coach after the season-ending loss.

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

Harden added: “Ultimate player’s coach. He gets it. He understands his team.”

According to Vardon, Atkinson took last year’s playoff loss to Indiana especially hard, rewatching every possession from the series and pushing his staff hard entering this season.

The Cavs eventually responded with one of the biggest trades of the year, acquiring Harden in February after moving Darius Garland. Vardon reported Atkinson played a role in helping convince Harden to embrace the move to Cleveland.

Now, the focus shifts toward roster decisions.

Harden’s future remains one of the organization’s biggest offseason questions, though he said after Monday’s loss that he “definitely” wants to return. Mitchell is also extension-eligible this summer and reiterated that he wants to remain in Cleveland long term.

The Cavaliers carried the NBA’s most expensive roster this season at roughly $229 million before taxes.

So while the front office and coaching staff appear safe, that doesn’t mean this offseason will be quiet.