Cavaliers looking for ‘someone with a new approach’ for new head coach
After a disappointing playoff exit, the Cleveland Cavaliers are venturing through the offseason with a head coach vacancy after letting go of J.B. Bickerstaff after five seasons.
During Bickerstaff’s tenure, the Cavaliers held a 255-290 record. However, the team did reach the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Cleveland is coming off a second-round postseason exit, falling in five games to the Boston Celtics.
The move off Bickerstaff comes in conjunction with speculation concerning star guard Donovan Mitchell’s long-term future as he’s eligible to ink a four-year, $200 million extension this upcoming summer.
Want $250 to bet on NBA futures?
President of basketball operations Koby Altman underlined the importance of bringing in fresh leadership on the sidelines that can push the franchise toward championship contention.
“Someone with a new approach, someone with a different voice, a fresh set of eyes to help us move forward,” Altman said via ESPN. “We’ve accomplished a lot in the last few years, getting to a conference semifinal, and we don’t want to be complacent.
“We feel we’re not far off.”
Read: Anthony Richardson Ready To ‘Be Smarter’ In Year 2
The Cavaliers’ top priority this offseason lies with keeping Mitchell committed to their long-term plans. There has been lingering speculation that he could elect not to sign the lucrative extension, leaving him to sit in the fourth year of his five-year, $163 million deal that holds a $37 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign.
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have been speculated as potential trade landing spots.
All that points to the Cavaliers making a concerted effort to bring aboard the right head coach.
