Cleveland Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell and head coach Kenny Atkinson’s meeting laid the groundwork for what we see in a 17-1 team despite the assumption that the All-Star had a say in firing former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff was relieved of his duties following the Cavs’ 4-1 second-round loss to the Boston Celtics in last year’s playoffs. Mitchell set the record straight recently in an interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
He said he had waited for the Cavs to decide Bickerstaff’s fate and had no part in the final decision.
“I wanted the organization to make that (coaching) decision,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, I know people probably think I f****** did all of it, but at the end of the day, I trust in (Cavs general manager) Koby (Altman). I trust in the front office to be like, ‘All right, what’s the decision?’ And then you figure out what the future looks like.”
The reasoning behind the decision to fire Bickerstaff, including Evan Mobley’s development and Darius Garland’s frustration, extended beyond Mitchell, according to sources revealed to The Atheltic.
“The developmental delay with Mobley was a problem. And team sources say Garland, the 24-year-old former All-Star whose production declined last season while playing alongside Mitchell, had made it clear internally that he wasn’t content camping out in the corner,” Amick reported. “He wanted the freedom to be his best self, and to share a more equitable part of the offensive load with Mitchell in the backcourt.”
With Garland signed through 2028, the Cavs considered the guard a pillar of their future. The Cavs ultimately decided to fire J.B. Bickerstaff and bring in a new coach who would be best for all parties, turning to Atkinson as a proactive solution to the many problems that plagued their 2023-24 campaign.
Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, Kenny Atkinson meeting sparked extension
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
While Cavs guard Ty Jerome barges into the Sixth Man of the Year conversation amid the team’s 17-1 start, All-Star Donovan Mitchell and head coach Kenny Atkinson discussed a vital offseason meeting. Mitchell met with Atkinson before his $150.8 million extension, where the two mapped out the Cavs’ 2024-25 offense.
“We were going over [Atkinson’s vision] with f****** salt and pepper on the little place mat,” Mitchell said. “This guy could be here and put this there. Naturally, what got me was the fact that we’re having this kind of discussion at a regular lunch.”
The two instantly found common ground, which made Mitchell’s decision to sign a three-year, $150.8 million extension easy.
