The Cleveland Cavaliers will reportedly run it back with head coach Kenny Atkinson despite being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
Atkinson’s retention drew mixed reactions from the NBA world, with some voicing frustration over how the 58-year-old managed the team during the lopsided series.
NBA Community Reacts to Cavaliers Sticking With Kenny Atkinson
Cleveland’s divisive decision was reported Tuesday by ESPN’s Shams Charania, who cited sources close to the team.
Just in on NBA Today — Kenny Atkinson is returning as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third season: pic.twitter.com/biuCyXxBNj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 26, 2026
In two seasons at the helm, the Northport, New York native led Cleveland to a 116-48 regular-season record, including a 64-18 mark in the 2024-25 campaign that earned him the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year award.
Atkinson led the Cavaliers to the conference semifinals in 2025 and their first conference finals since 2018 this year.
However, despite the firepower he had on his roster, the NBA community felt Atkinson fell short of expectations, especially in the East finals, as his squad was overwhelmed by the Knicks, who earned their first NBA Finals ticket since 1999.
Atkinson’s retention divided social media, with CBS basketball analyst and sideline reporter Ashley Nicole Moss calling the Cavaliers’ decision “insane.”
INSANE https://t.co/BTIeixWLhe
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) May 26, 2026
An NBA enthusiast could not believe the development, insisting that there is “no way” the Cavaliers could retain the veteran coach after suffering a humiliating postseason exit.
THERE IS NO WAY LMAOOOOOOOO https://t.co/TyMCv5w6WJ
— 🏆 🏆- well good luck babe! | HEARD DESTROYA LIVE! (@supersapphicumg) May 26, 2026
NBA radio producer, contributor, and podcaster Adam Bernstein sarcastically responded to the news, labeling it, in jest, a “good move” from an analytical standpoint.
Analytically this is a good move 😂 https://t.co/N9NeFFD9BD
— Adam Bernstein (@AdamBernstein18) May 26, 2026
Atkinson’s failure to devise a strategy to counter the Knicks’ ploy of attacking James Harden’s defense in Game 1 proved costly. New York slowly chipped away at its 22-point fourth-quarter deficit and ignited a miraculous comeback that became the turning point in the series.
Emmy Award-winning TV host and journalist Brandon Pope believes the decision to retain Atkinson will prevent LeBron James from embarking on a potential retirement tour with the Cavaliers.
“You can probably rule out LeBron coming back to Cleveland next season,” Pope predicted.
You can probably rule out LeBron coming back to Cleveland next season https://t.co/HXq6THHrqo
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) May 26, 2026
However, not everyone reacted harshly to the Cavaliers’ decision to retain the former Brooklyn Nets coach for another season, with reporter Tony Pesta reasoning that Atkinson still has room for growth.
“That settles that. I know it’s the unpopular move, but I think Kenny Atkinson has a chance to grow and prove himself next season/ First year was COTY. Second year was adversity. Let’s see what he can do,” Pesta said.
That settles that
I know it’s the unpopular move but I think Kenny Atkinson has a chance to grow and prove himself next season
First year was COTY. Second year was adversity. Let’s see what he can do https://t.co/zVwzw10Nwl
— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) May 26, 2026
Atkinson now heads into a busy offseason assured of his job safety. However, he must contend with the possibility of James returning to Cleveland and inviting even more pressure to get over the hump and make a 2027 NBA Finals run.
