Insider reveals Donovan Mitchell's pick for interim head coach if Cavaliers fire Kenny Atkinson

Charlie Baduini

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Insider reveals Donovan Mitchell's pick for interim head coach if Cavaliers fire Kenny Atkinson image

Entering the 2025-26 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were a preseason favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Through the first two months of the season, the Cavs have struggled. They're 17-14 and are the current seventh seed in the East's playoff race. Recently, they've suffered defeats to a shorthanded Golden State Warriors squad, the Chicago Bulls, and the Charlotte Hornets.

If Cleveland continues to skid, is it possible a decision could be made to move on from head coach Kenny Atkinson? It's not out of the realm of possibility, and if it were up to Donovan Mitchell, they may have his replacement on the staff already.

Donovan Mitchell would want Johnnie Bryant as the interim head coach in Cleveland

According to Dallas Hoops Journal's Grant Afseth, there have been internal questions about Atkinson's job security, and Mitchell has a preference for the interim head coach.

"Although no move is believed to be imminent, there are internal questions about Atkinson’s leadership. 'Kenny does a great job of building up a young team into a winning program. Does it stop there, though? He hasn’t shown he can take a contender over the top,' one source said," wrote Afseth.

"If the Cavaliers were to eventually move on from Atkinson, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com, that Mitchell’s preferred interim head coach would be current assistant coach Johnnie Bryant."

Bryant, a former Utah Jazz and New York Knicks assistant coach, has close ties with Mitchell. It was what drew his interest in a trade to New York a few years ago.

As of right now, Atkinson isn't likely to be fired. But things move fast in the NBA, and if the Cavaliers don't show signs of progress soon, it may force the hand of lead decision makers.

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Staff Writer