According to NBA reporter Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com, Kenny Atkinson sold the Cleveland Cavaliers on ideas to squeeze more out of the current roster.
The Cavaliers haven’t added any new players this offseason. They signed Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to extensions and declined all trade offers for Darius Garland, sources told Hoops Wire.
“Atkinson was able to sell the Cavs on some ideas to squeeze more out of the current roster,” Pluto wrote. “He coached Allen early in the center’s career when both were with Brooklyn. Atkinson has plans to add some octane to Mobley’s scoring. It’s not simply adding more 3-point shot attempts. Yes, that’s part of it. The goal is to increase Mobley shots, period. Atkinson wants Mobley as a key part of the Cavs fast break and other up-tempo offenses.”
Atkinson, who signed a five-year deal with the Cavaliers, replaced J.B. Bickerstaff.
When Mitchell signed his extension with the Cavaliers, he told the front office to keep Allen and Garland, sources said. Mitchell, one of the best players in the NBA, signed a three-year, $150 million extension with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. NBA execs thought Mitchell would request a trade in the offseason of 2023, but that didn’t happen.
The Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games but lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round in five games. As was the case in the offseason of 2023, NBA figures were prepared for Mitchell to ask out of Cleveland this offseason.
However, Mitchell never once thought about requesting a trade from the Cavaliers, sources said. He has a good relationship with president of basketball operations Koby Altman, who made sure Mitchell was on board with the Atkinson hire, sources said.
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