JB Bickerstaff expected to replace John Beilein as Cavs head coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers and John Beilein are working on a buyout agreement that would end the coach’s time as the Cavs head coach, and J.B. Bickerstaff is expected to become the new interim head coach, according to reports.

There has been talk since Sunday night’s All-Star Game that Beilein was considering stepping down as the Cavs’ coach during the All-Star Break. The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the two sides are in advanced buyout talks that are expected to commence by Wednesday, and possibly later on Tuesday.

John Beilein and #Cavs expected to officially part ways by late this evening or early Wednesday, league sources confirm to @SInow.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 18, 2020

Bickerstaff, who has served as an interim head coach twice previously during his career, is expected to take over, according to numerous reports.

Bickerstaff served as an interim head coach in Memphis and Houston previously and is likely to be the Cavs’ coach when they hold practice on Wednesday.

The Cavaliers are 14-40 and entered the All-Star break with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. This is Beilein’s first season as an NBA head coach after his successful stint at Michigan.

There have been talks about issues with Beilein working as an NBA coach since December. A report at the time said players did not like the way Beilein was operating the team like a college program. There was another moment when Beilein received negative publicity in January when he inadvertently called his players “thugs” instead of “slugs.”