The Cleveland Cavaliers have been an exciting team in the Eastern Conference, but it seems that there have been changes throughout the organization that are coming down. With the thought that at least one of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell will be gone during the offseason, the team decided to make a change and fired coach JB Bickerstaff on Thursday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
JB Bickerstaff has been the coach for the
since taking over during the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season. In his five seasons with the franchise, he wound up going 170-159 overall in the regular season. However, the last two seasons saw Bickerstaff do well as he finished with 99 regular season victories and back-to-back playoff berths.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost in the first round of the NBA Playoffs last season and were able to make the second round of the postseason this year before losing to the Boston Celtics. It will be interesting to see what the Cleveland Cavaliers will do in terms of their future but it is clear that it will have a new coach calling the shots.
What is next for the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Credit: AP Photo
In Woj’s story about the firing, he says how Cleveland wanted a fresh approach to things and there are some intriguing coaches that are available. It is also possible that they could just promote from within and go there but with some coaches who are looking for jobs and others currently employed, there are some options for the Cavs to go with.
Expect to hear some buzz around JJ Reddick but also people like Chris Quinn, Kenny Atkinson (who Caris Levert and Jarrett Allen have experience with) and Sam Cassell to be in the running for the opening.
What is next for JB Bickerstaff?
One of the more intriguing options for JB Bickerstaff will be the Los Angeles Lakers job. While not having a connection with LeBron James or Anthony Davis, this could be a way to bring a coach in who has some experience bringing a team into the postseason and leading the franchise going forward as a 44-year-old coach with possibly decades left in his career.
It also helps that Bickerstaff has an extensive coaching career. Do not be surprised to also see broadcasting networks look to try to hire him for next year as well.
