The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in search of new leadership after deciding to part ways with head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in the wake of their recent elimination from the Eastern Conference semifinals at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Bickerstaff, who was promoted from assistant to head coach in the 2020-21 season, guided the Cavaliers to a total of 99 wins over the past two seasons but was unable to guide them to the conference finals during his four-year tenure.
As the Cavaliers begin their search for a new head coach, two notable candidates that have emerged as front-runners for the position are Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans associate James Borrego. Both Atkinson and Borrego bring a wealth of coaching experience and are known for their ability to develop young talent, which could be appealing to a Cavaliers team stocked with promising young players.
On the other hand, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell has also been rumored to be in the running for the head coaching vacancy with the Los Angeles Lakers, though no official link has been made between Cassell and the Cavaliers. The Lakers, along with several other teams in the NBA, are currently in the process of evaluating potential coaching candidates as they look to make strategic hires for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, former Celtics assistant Charles Lee recently made the transition to head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, leaving another coaching position open in the league. With several coaching vacancies across the NBA, the coaching carousel continues to spin as teams look to make crucial decisions in shaping their future on the sidelines. The Cavaliers, like many other teams, will undoubtedly take their time in selecting the right candidate to lead their team into the next chapter of their journey.
