Sources – Cleveland Cavaliers hiring Kenny Atkinson as coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson because the franchise’s subsequent coach, sources advised ESPN on Monday.

The perimeters have began work on a contract, and a deal is anticipated to be reached quickly, sources stated.

The Cavaliers’ course of had been pared right down to Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans affiliate head coach James Borrego, sources stated. Borrego, who labored the previous season with new Detroit president Trajan Langdon in New Orleans, is now anticipated to grow to be a distinguished candidate within the Pistons’ teaching search, sources advised ESPN.

Atkinson, the highest assistant with the Warriors, takes over a Cavaliers roster that superior to the Japanese Convention semifinals and gained 99 regular-season video games prior to now two seasons. He joins a company that features two key gamers who blossomed throughout his tenure because the Brooklyn Nets coach — Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman and common supervisor Mike Gansey are particularly looking forward to Atkinson’s respected participant growth program to impression younger middle Evan Mobley, sources stated.

Cleveland’s offseason precedence turns absolutely to securing All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell on a contract extension. He has one 12 months left earlier than he can train an early termination possibility.

Atkinson was 118-190 in three-plus years with the Nets, inheriting a full rebuild and displaying enchancment every season till he resigned after an injury-plagued 2019-20 season. He spent the 2020-21 season with the LA Clippers as an assistant earlier than becoming a member of Steve Kerr’s workers as the highest assistant in 2021. Two years in the past, Atkinson briefly accepted the Charlotte Hornets’ head teaching job earlier than altering his thoughts and remaining with the Warriors.

Atkinson spent 9 seasons as an NBA assistant — 4 with the New York Knicks, three with the Atlanta Hawks earlier than returning to the assistant teaching ranks with the Clippers and Warriors.