Cavaliers plan to keep Atkinson, front office together, per report

Per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, there were questions surrounding the organization regarding their future. However, the team ultimately decided to keep everyone around after their first conference finals appearance since 2018, and their first without LeBron James since 1992.

Advertisement

Following the series loss to the Knicks, Atkinson was asked how confident he was in his job security. He said, “Listen, I have confidence, confidence in myself first of all, confidence in the group.”

He also stressed that he was proud of what his team was able to accomplish.

Atkinson’s accomplishments as Cavaliers head coach

Atkinson has been head coach of the Cavaliers for two seasons. In 2025, he was named NBA Coach of the Year and led the Cavs to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round.

In 2026, the team took a step back, managing just 52 wins, but still reaching the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 4 seed. The team needed to win two Game 7’s to get past the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons in the first two rounds before getting swept in the Eastern Conference finals.

Advertisement

Atkinson boasts a 13-14 playoff record as the Cavaliers’ head coach.

Cavaliers spent big money in 2026

The Cavaliers had the most expensive roster in NBA history this season, costing them $229 million before taxes.

Despite the money, the team fell short of expectations and will need to decide on the future of role players like Dean Wade, who is scheduled to become a free agent. Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden also have questions around their future. Mitchell can sign an extension, while Harden’s contract can be restructured.

There is no word yet on what the Cavaliers plan on doing with their roster this offseason.

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cavaliers plan to keep Atkinson, front office together, per report