Cavaliers Face Decision After Kenny Atkinson Update
The Cleveland Cavaliers have never reached the NBA mountaintop without Ohio native LeBron James, but star guard Donovan Mitchell at least led them to the Eastern Conference Finals this year before getting swept by the New York Knicks. It was the first time the franchise got that far without James since 1992, when it lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the same round.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson has built up a list of accomplishments since replacing J.B. Bickerstaff in 2024. The New York native won Coach of the Year honors after the Cavaliers topped the Eastern Conference at 64-18 last season, and they made the second round before the Indiana Pacers beat them in five games.
Cleveland then finished fourth in the East at 52-30 this season before beating the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons in the first and second rounds, respectively. Although its season ended with four double-digit losses to the Knicks, the organization will retain Atkinson, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Just in on NBA Today -- Kenny Atkinson is returning as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third season: pic.twitter.com/biuCyXxBNj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 26, 2026
Kenny Atkinson Has Shown Promise, But Roster Changes Are in Order
Atkinson has proven that he can help Cleveland stay in the mix deep into the playoffs, especially when healthy. The squad could've made the conference finals last year had it avoided the injury bug, but Mitchell (calf, ankle), forward Evan Mobley (ankle), guard Darius Garland (toe), forward De'Andre Hunter (thumb), and guard Sam Merrill (neck) were all hobbled and/or missed time against the Pacers.
The Cavaliers had better luck on that front this year, as all of their key pieces stayed healthy throughout the postseason. But New York's dominant performance in the conference finals showed that Cleveland still isn't at a championship level yet.
The organization has already made major roster changes, trading Hunter to the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 1 for guards Dennis Schroeder and Keon Ellis before sending Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for star guard James Harden on Feb. 4. However, the core of Mitchell, Harden, Mobley and center Jarrett Allen might need to be broken up after just half a season together for the Cavaliers to take the next step.
Harden has a $42.3 million player option for next season, so Cleveland must decide if it wants to extend him or have him play on an expiring contract. Mitchell also has a $53.8 million player option for 2027-28.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Tuesday that Harden will likely sign a team-friendly extension.
"James Harden is going to be a Cav next year. ... That new deal will probably be structured in a way that will allow the Cavs to dip below the second apron."@Windhorstespn gives some insight on the Cavs as they prepare for the offseason pic.twitter.com/hFLc1fmppv
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 26, 2026
Cleveland could package Allen and/or Mobley for Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a $62.7 million player option for 2027-28. Milwaukee missed the playoffs this year and is nowhere close to contending, so the organization could flip the 31-year-old for younger talent before he possibly walks in 2027. Mobley is 24 and won Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA, and All-Star honors last year, while Allen is 28.
Regardless, the Cavaliers can't be complacent after getting outclassed by the Knicks, who finished just one game ahead of them in the regular season.
Related: Cleveland Cavaliers Mount Rushmore: LeBron James and Who?
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 3:13 PM.