Kenny Atkinson Takes the Helm: Cavaliers’ Bold New Era Begins

Kenny Atkinson, a seasoned NBA assistant coach with prior head coaching experience, has been named the new head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. This information comes from a reliable source who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity.

At 57 years of age, Kenny Atkinson brings a wealth of experience in player development and strategic planning. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. During his tenure, he had a record of 118-190, continuously guiding his teams to show significant improvement every season. Despite making progress with the Nets, Atkinson departed the team following their signing of star players Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

Kenny Atkinson’s Recent Roles and Development

After leaving the Nets, Kenny Atkinson joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach. He worked closely with head coach Steve Kerr to enhance his coaching abilities even further. He had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to the Warriors. In 2022, instead of coaching the Charlotte Hornets, Atkinson chose to remain with the Warriors, who went on to win the NBA Finals.

Kenny Atkinson takes over as leader of a Cavaliers team that finished last season with a 48-34 record, securing the fourth position in the Eastern Conference. The group won against the Orlando Magic in the first playoff round but was defeated by the Boston Celtics in the next stage.

The Cavaliers have many important roster decisions to make, including the need to sign a contract extension for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell, with two years remaining on his existing contract, could become a free agent after the 2024-25 season. The Cavaliers are relying on Atkinson’s guidance to boost their roster and steer the team toward greater achievements.

The hiring of Kenny Atkinson signifies a thrilling new era for the Cleveland Cavaliers, bringing optimism for continuous development and success.