Kenny Atkinson signs 5-year contract to coach Cavaliers, who made change after playoff appearance
CLEVELAND (AP) — Kenny Atkinson has finalized a five-year contract to become coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atkinson spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State. The 57-year-old takes over a Cleveland team coming off its second straight playoff appearance. Atkinson spent three seasons as coach of the Brooklyn Nets before being fired in 2020 despite guiding the team from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the playoffs. The Cavs did something similar this spring with J.B. Bickerstaff, who was dismissed after back-to-back postseason appearances.
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FILE - Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Denver. The Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new coach, a person familiar with decision told the Associated Press on Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/David Zalubowski