Cavaliers: The Kenny Atkinson Era has officially begun

INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers officially hired Kenny Atkinson as their head coach on Friday. The 57-year-old New York native becomes the 24th head coach in franchise history after spending the last three seasons as assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. He will also serve as an assistant coach with the French National Team that will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer. Atkinson signed a five-year deal, according to ESPN reports. "We conducted a thorough and extensive search in the selecting of the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and today, we are excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio," Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a statement. "Kenny brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development, and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the vision we have for this franchise. "His innovative approach will instill a style of play and a brand of basketball that will give us a chance for sustainable success and ultimately compete for championships. His familiarity coaching alongside some of the NBA's best elevates this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court." Prior to his stint with the Warriors under coach Steve Kerr, Atkinson was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2021-22) and head coach of the Brooklyn Nets for parts of four seasons (2016-2020) where he compiled a 118-190 record (.383). He ranks third all-time in Nets franchise history for games coached (308) and fourth in wins (118). After Brooklyn posted a 20-62 record in his first season, Atkinson led the Nets to an eight-win improvement in his second season. In 2018-19, Atkinson guided Brooklyn to a 42-40 record and its first postseason berth since 2015. They were eliminated by Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs in five games. The Nets' 14-win improvement represented the third-biggest increase in wins among all NBA teams that season, and Brooklyn's third straight season improving its win-loss record, marking the first time the Nets had done so in three or more consecutive seasons since 1990-94. His previous experience includes assistant coaching stops with Atlanta (2012-2016), New York (2008-2012) and one season as the director of player development in Houston (2007-08). "I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers," Atkinson said. "This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future. I've seen first hand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I'm so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward. I also want to thank Koby Altman and the front office for having the confidence in me and the shared vision we have for sustainable success in Cleveland." He will replace the fired J.B. Bickerstaff, who was relieved of his duties on May 23 after taking the Cavs to the Eastern Conference semifinals where they lost 4-1 to eventual NBA champion Boston. Atkinson, a native of Northport, New York, has also held various coaching positions abroad, serving as director of player development and assistant coach for Paris Basket Racing Club in France (2004-06), director of player development and assistant coach for the National Team of the Republic of Georgia in the summer of 2006, assistant coach with the Ukraine National Team at the European Championships in 2011 and head coach of the Dominican Republic National Team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship held in Mexico City. Atkinson also played professionally for 14 years (1990-2004), beginning his pro career in the CBA and USBL before competing for teams in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain. A standout collegiate player at the University of Richmond, Atkinson earned first-team All-CAA honors as a junior and senior, and helped lead the Spiders to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1988. He was also selected as the 1987 CAA Rookie of the Year. In 2010, Atkinson was inducted into the University of Richmond Hall of Fame. He'll be introduced to the Cleveland media at 1 p.m. Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. SUMMER LEAGUE The Cavs will defend their Las Vegas Summer League title from last year. Their first game will be against the Orlando Magic at 4 p.m. (ET) Friday, July 12. Each team will play at least five games, including four games from July 12-19. After each team's first four games, the top four teams will advance to participate in the playoffs, beginning with a semifinal doubleheader on Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on ESPN. The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the championship game on Monday, July 22 at 9 p.m. on ESPN. The following is Cleveland's schedule: Friday, July 12, 4 p.m. (EST), Cox Pavilion, Orlando, NBA TV. Sunday, July 14, 3:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, Milwaukee, NBA TV. Wednesday, July 17, 10 p.m., Cox Pavilion, Golden State, NBA TV. Thursday, July 18, 9 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, L.A. Lakers, ESPN. DRIBBLES The Cavs reportedly signed North Carolina State center D.J. Burns to play for their summer league team, according to The Athletic. Swingman Jaylon Tyson, the No. 20 pick in the 2024 draft from Cal, will play for Cleveland's summer league team. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.