CLEVELAND — Kenny Atkinson’s first tenure as an NBA head coach ended with a sudden, awkward parting in Brooklyn.
He is looking forward to a long-lasting relationship in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers on Friday finalized a five-year contract with Atkinson, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State and now takes over a Cleveland team coming off its second consecutive playoff appearance.
By selecting the respected Atkinson, the Cavs ended a months-long search that began following the firing of J.B. Bickerstaff, who had led the team to 99 wins over the previous two seasons. Bickerstaff was let go after Cleveland lost to Boston in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
“Kenny has a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development and a tireless work ethic that is consistent with our vision for this franchise,” said Koby Altman, the team’s president of basketball operations.
“His familiarity coaching some of the best players in the NBA further enhances this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals on and off the court,” Altman said.
The Cavs plan to introduce Atkinson — the franchise’s 24th coach — at a news conference on Monday.
“This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future,” Atkinson said in a statement. “I’ve seen firsthand what it took to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and it was no easy task. I’m very excited to be on this side of the ledger now to help move this team forward.” Am.”
Atkinson was delayed in signing his contract because he was in France helping his national team prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He will return to Europe next week for exhibition games with the French team.
Atkinson arrived in Cleveland on Wednesday and was in the team’s draft room when the Cavs selected Cal forward Jaylon Tyson with the No. 20 pick.
Atkinson’s hiring is another important move in a crucial summer for a Cleveland team that believes it has the roster needed to compete for a championship. The next step – and perhaps the most important – is to convince All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to sign a long-term contract, which he is expected to do.
The 57-year-old Atkinson is a safe, strong figure touted by the team’s front office and president Dan Gilbert, who hasn’t always handled coaching searches with aplomb. Gilbert’s decision to externally hire first-time NBA coaches David Blatt and John Beilein backfired badly.
Atkinson is much less risky.
He has a resume highlighted by offensive success and a reputation for developing players. Atkinson started with the New York Knicks as an assistant under Mike D’Antoni and has also been on staffs with Tyronn Lue and most recently Steve Kerr.
Two years earlier, Atkinson had briefly accepted the Charlotte Hornets head-coaching job before changing his mind and staying with the Warriors. Atkinson won a title with Golden State in 2022.
“Kenny is a very good friend,” said Kerr, who also coaches the U.S. team and encouraged Atkinson to join the French staff. “He’s a great coach. That’s why Cleveland hired him. And I was very fortunate to have him the last few years.”
The Cavs are counting on Atkinson to bring out the best in their young players – especially forward Evan Mobley, 23, and lead the team beyond Bickerstaff.
His experience with the Nets undoubtedly shaped Atkinson. Although his record was not spectacular (118–190), he acquired players from Brooklyn and the team made incremental improvements in each of his four seasons, making the playoffs in Year 3.
However, 62 games into the 2020 season, Atkinson was sidelined amid an ownership change and the arrivals of stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. His dismissal remains somewhat mysterious, one of a number of behind-the-scenes power struggles that pervade the entire league.
The Cavs were also attracted to Atkinson’s offensive simplicity. Under his leadership, the Nets were at the forefront of playing faster and shooting more 3-pointers, a trend that began and was adopted by the champion Celtics this season.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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