Cavaliers Expected to Retain Kenny Atkinson and Koby Altman, Eye Defensive Bench Help
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to keep head coach Kenny Atkinson and president of basketball operations Koby Altman in place despite Monday’s season-ending, four-game sweep by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, according to multiple league sources.
While the organization’s top posts appear secure, sources said the front office is evaluating adjustments to Atkinson’s coaching staff, with a particular focus on adding a stronger defensive voice. One rival executive told Hoops Wire that bringing in a coordinator-type assistant could benefit the club before the 2024-25 season.
Atkinson’s tenure and playoff scrutiny
Atkinson, 46, has completed his second season in Cleveland and still has three years left on his contract. The Cavaliers won 64 games and reached the conference finals for the first time without LeBron James since 1992, yet several postseason decisions drew criticism. Cleveland surrendered a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 against New York and never recovered. Atkinson also faced questions about rotations, timeout usage and his much-discussed “analytically earned wins” remark.
Star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden publicly backed the coach after Monday’s defeat. “I love Kenny. We love Kenny. I ride with Kenny,” Mitchell said. Harden echoed the support, calling Atkinson an “ultimate players coach.”
Front-office stability and roster questions
Altman, who assumed control of basketball operations in 2017, is likewise expected to stay on. Under his watch Cleveland executed one of the league’s biggest trades this season, acquiring Harden in February in a deal that sent Darius Garland elsewhere. League sources said Atkinson helped persuade Harden to embrace the move to Northeast Ohio.
With leadership staying intact, attention now shifts to the roster. Harden said he “definitely” wants to return, and Mitchell becomes extension-eligible this summer after reiterating his long-term commitment to the franchise. The Cavaliers finished the season with the NBA’s highest payroll, roughly $229 million before luxury taxes, ensuring a busy offseason even without major changes at the top.
Source: Hoops Wire
