Cavs steal Knicks assistant to join Kenny Atkinson staff

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to make moves to elevate themselves in the Eastern Conference landscape. After hiring Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, the Cavs have reached a pivotal agreement with New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant.

Bryant has agreed on a deal with the Cavs to become an associate head coach for the 2024-25 season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Johnnie Bryant spent four years with the Knicks. Before that, he spent six years as a staff member with the Utah Jazz. Bryant’s extensive experience should help Kenny Atkinson and the Cavs maintain themselves as a major threat.

One of the biggest talking points of Cleveland’s offseason has been star guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell was rumored to decline an extension with the team, but he committed to the Cavs on a three-year, $150.3 million extension. Mitchell is not just in it for the money. He wants his team to see greater postseason success.

“It definitely is something that fuels me. This is what I want to be. This is why I work hard. I take the scrutiny. I take the praise. But in order for me to be considered one of the best to play this game, I’ve got to do something when it matters most. Individual performances are great. But team success has to come with it. That’s where I’m at in my career,” Mitchell told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com during the spring of 2024.

Will Mitchell have the necessary support to help the Cavs take a jump during the 2024-25 season?

Can Kenny Atkinson, Johnnie Bryant, Cavs get over the hump?

One of Kenny Atkinson’s most notable experiences is his head coaching tenure with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. Atkinson was instrumental in transforming the Nets from a poor-performing team to a respectable playoff squad. Atkinson’s knack for player development looks to serve Cleveland well. Team president Koby Altman believes Atkinson is the perfect man for the job.

“We conducted a thorough and extensive search, and we are excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” Altman said, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. “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 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.”

Atkinson helped former Nets guard D’Angelo Russell take a big leap during his time in Brooklyn. Perhaps he can do the same with Darius Garland and even Donovan Mitchell. Of course, Atkinson also has a great connection with Jarrett Allen, who spent the first couple of years of his career with the head coach of the Nets.

All in all, it will be interesting to see the rest of the moves Cleveland makes amid the 2024 offseason.

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