The first tenure of Kenny Atkinson as head coach of the NBA ended abruptly and strangely in Brooklyn. In Cleveland, he hopes for more lasting relationships.
On Friday, the "Cavaliers" signed a five-year contract with Atkinson, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the "Golden State," and will now lead the Cleveland team, which has reached the playoffs for the second consecutive time.
By choosing the reputable Atkinson, the "Cavs" concluded a months-long search that began after the dismissal of J.B. Bickerstaff, who led the team to 99 wins over the last two seasons. Bickerstaff was fired after Cleveland lost in five games to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"Kenny has extensive experience, a proven track record of player development, and an unwavering work ethic that aligns with our vision for this franchise," said Kobe Altman, the team's basketball president.
"His coaching experience, combined with some of the best NBA coaches, elevates the level of this partnership, and we are glad that Kenny will lead the team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court," Altman added.
"The Cavs" plan to introduce Atkinson — the 24th franchise coach — at a press conference on Monday.
"It's an incredible opportunity to lead a talented young team with a bright future," said Atkinson in his statement.
The contract signing with Atkinson was delayed because he was in France helping his national team prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Next week, he will return to Europe to participate in friendly matches with the French team.
Atkinson arrived in Cleveland on Wednesday and was in the team's draft room when the "Cavs" selected California forward Jalen Tyson with the overall 20th pick.
The contract signing with Atkinson is another important step this summer for the Cleveland team, which believes it has the necessary roster to contend for the championship title. The next—and perhaps most crucial—step will be signing a long-term deal with star guard Donovan Mitchell, expected to happen soon.
57-year-old Atkinson is a reliable choice for management and its head, Dan Gilbert, who has not always approached coaching searches with confidence. Gilbert’s unconventional decisions regarding the hiring of rookie coaches in the NBA, David Blatt and John Beilein, led to poor outcomes.
Atkinson is much less risky.
His resume includes successes on offense and a reputation as a player development coach. Atkinson started as an assistant to Mike D'Antoni in New York, worked with Tyronn Lue, and most recently with Steve Kerr.
Atkinson won a title with the Warriors in 2022.
"Kenny is my great friend," Kerr said, who was also the head coach of the US national team and encouraged Atkinson to join the French staff. "He’s a fantastic coach. That’s why Cleveland hired him. I was very lucky to work with him over the past few years."
"The Cavs" rely on Atkinson to unlock the best qualities of their young players, including 23-year-old forward Evan Mobley, and to take the team further than Bickerstaff was able to.
His experience with the Nets undoubtedly shaped Atkinson. Although his record was not stellar (118-190 wins), he convinced Brooklyn players to believe in him, and the team gradually improved its results in each of the four seasons, reaching the playoffs in the third year.
However, after 62 games in the 2020 season, Atkinson was ousted amidst a change of ownership and the high-profile arrival of stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. His dismissal remains somewhat mysterious; it is one of those behind-the-scenes power struggles infiltrating the league.
"The Cavs" were also attracted by Atkinson’s offensive ingenuity. Under his leadership, the Nets played faster and shot more three-pointers—a trend that soared and was adopted by this season’s champion, the Celtics.
