NBA Exec Reveals Why Cavaliers Are Interviewing 10 Candidates For Head Coaching Job

According to NBA reporter Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers are interviewing 10 candidates for their head coaching job. 

Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com asked an NBA executive why the Cavaliers would interview so many people. 

“I talked to an NBA executive about why the Cavs would interview 10 candidates,” Pluto wrote. “He said some teams in a situation like are also looking for members of a new coaching staff. Or they want to get to know some younger candidates if they have to hire another coach in a few years. I believe the Cavs entered this search with only a few top candidates in mind, but are using this to gather future information.”

The Cavaliers have been linked to Terry Stotts, Johnnie Bryant, Chris Quinn, Kenny Atkinson, James Borrego and Dave Joerger. 

Cleveland fired JB Bickerstaff in an effort to keep Donovan Mitchell. The front office may also retool the roster this offseason to keep Mitchell happy after losing in the second round of this year’s postseason to the Boston Celtics in five games. 

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

If Mitchell becomes a free agent in 2025, he is eligible to sign for a max of five years and $269.9 million with the team that holds his Bird rights (the Cavaliers now) or four years, $200.1 million with a new team.

Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season while shooting 46.2% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line.

If Mitchell doesn’t sign an extension with the Cavaliers this offseason, the thought is that Cleveland will look to trade him before free agency in the offseason of 2025.

Sources told Hoops Wire that the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers would attempt to acquire Mitchell if the All-Star didn’t extend with the Cavaliers. 

Mitchell has career NBA averages of 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists with the Utah Jazz and Cavaliers. He scored a career-high 71 points last season against the Chicago Bulls.