A favorite appears to be emerging for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach vacancy.
NBA reporter Marc Stein reported on Friday that he has heard multiple times that Kenny Atkinson is “gaining steam” for the Cavs job. Stein also mentioned James Borrego and Micah Nori as other candidates for the job.
Latest from NBA coaching carousel: Heard multiple times today that Kenny Atkinson is gaining steam for Cleveland’s job.
James Borrego had initially been more widely billed as the favorite in coaching circles; Minnesota’s Micah Nori also in contention.https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2024
JB Bickerstaff coached the Cavaliers for the last four seasons. The team made the playoffs each of the last two years, and they reached the conference semifinals this season. But that was not enough for Cleveland, which is seeking to advance farther in the postseason.
Atkinson, 57, has served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for the last three seasons. He is best known for his tenure as the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach from 2016-2020. Atkinson was let go as the Nets’ coach in March 2020. He had led the team to one postseason appearance amid a huge rebuilding project.
Borrego is a former Charlotte Hornets head coach and current New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach. Nori has been an assistant coach with the Timberwolves since 2021.
