Jason Burgos
After being eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs by the New York Knicks on Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers have an important decision to make when it comes to head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Yes, he won NBA Coach of the Year honors last season for leading the team to 62 wins. However, after regressing to 54 victories in a year when the conference was weaker, he might have benefited from the strong infrastructure put together by his predecessor, 2025-26 COTY contender JB Bickerstaff.
Is that a fireable offense? No. But Atkinson hasn’t made an undeniable case to keep his job during these playoffs either. They barely survived the quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors despite being the favorites. They blew a chance to close out the Detroit Pistons in the semis by losing at home in Game 6. Then, against the Knicks, he was badly outcoached as his team was embarrassed in a four-game sweep that included blowing a 22-point lead in Game 1.
Making matters worse are his comments after their losses in the Conference Finals. After a Game 3 loss, he claimed “analytically” they had won Games 2 and 3. After Monday’s defeat, he complained about the NBA’s scheduling of the playoffs hurting his team by not giving them enough rest. Plus, he suggested management wasn’t to blame for the Cavaliers being swept because they put together a strong roster.
If that’s the case it sure seems like there is just one person to blame. While the Cavs’ firing Atkinson soon isn’t likely, if they did take that bold step, we look at five potential replacements on the market right now.
Jason Kidd
The most obvious choice to replace Atkinson would be now-former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. He already had a ton of respect in the league as an NBA legend, but he is a good coach who guided the Mavs to the Finals just two years ago. With this current roster, it makes sense that management would see him as the man who can do with this roster what Atkinson couldn’t because Kidd did it in his previous job.
If Cleveland moves on from their head coach, you can bet the Hall of Famer will be at the top of their replacement list.
Tiago Splitter
It is stunning that new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has not given Tiago Splitter the full-time head coach job. He was thrust into a terrible situation, a game into the season, when Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a gambling probe, and led his team to a surprise 42-win season and playoff appearance in 2025-26.
Splitter is young and has shown a lot of potential. If Portland doesn’t make him their head coach, the Cavaliers should jump at a chance to interview him.
Jeff Van Gundy
Former ESPN analyst and Knicks coaching great Jeff Van Gundy has been out of the head coaching game for a long time. However, he returned to the league three years ago and has gotten rave reviews for his work as an advisor for the Boston Celtics and, recently, as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers for the last two years. It is why he is a serious candidate for the Orlando Magic’s head coach opening.
He can handle stars and pressurized situations and would be intrigued by taking over a roster that can be a Finals contender next season.
Billy Donovan
Although some may see it as a lateral move, Billy Donovan would be a candidate for the Cavaliers’ job if the team makes a change soon. Although he struggled in Chicago with the Bulls, he had some very good years as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Plus, he is a legend in the college ranks after winning two titles at Florida.
It is why he is the current favorite to be the next head coach of the Magic and would be a contender if the Cavaliers are looking to fill the same position.
Micah Nori
The Cavaliers could choose to go after a top assistant coach, and one that has been linked to several head coaching jobs over the last couple of years is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Micah Nori. He has been learning on NBA benches for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants around the game, there is no more ready and respected individual than Nori.
Furthermore, if he can bring the defensive grit and toughness Minnesota has to Cleveland, he would be welcomed.
