NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers have named Golden State Warriors’ Assistant Coach Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach.
ESPN quoted a source well-versed in team affairs on June 25, reporting, “Cleveland has decided to hand over the reins to Atkinson for the 2024-2025 season.” The Cavaliers have not made an official announcement yet.
Taking over the team in 2020, former head coach J.B Bickerstaff led the team to a 48-win and 34-loss record in the 2023-2024 regular season, securing fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, he was dismissed after losing 4-1 to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Atkinson coached the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. As Brooklyn’s coach, he recorded 118 wins and 190 losses in the regular season. He made it to the playoffs once in the 2018-2019 season but was eliminated in the first round.
He later worked as a coach for the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors.