It appears the names we’ve been hearing are indeed candidates to become the new coach of your Cleveland Cavaliers.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Hoops Wire sources, the Cavaliers have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego.
Both have head-coaching experience, of course, and Borrego is also considered a candidate with the Los Angeles Lakers. As we relayed here, Borrego had an in-person interview with the Lakers on Wednesday.
The Cavs will be replacing J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired after five-and-a-half seasons and a second-round playoff exit.
Atkinson, 56, is widely considered the early favorite, though the Cavs are casting a wide net that is said to also include the likes of former Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, former Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger and current New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant.
Atkinson coached the Nets from 2016-20 and went 118-170 in the regular season and 1-4 in the playoffs. He was fired just days before the season shut down as a result of the COVID pandemic in March 2020.
He then spent 2020-21 as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, before joining Steve Kerr and the Warriors as an assistant a year later.
Borrego, 46, is currently an assistant under Willie Green with the Pelicans. Before that, he served as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, compiling a 138-163 record from 2018-22. The Hornets improved by 10 wins in each of Borrego’s final three seasons.
The coaching search is being led by president of basketball operations Koby Altman, though Cavs owner Dan Gilbert reportedly is heavily involved as well.
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