Kenny Atkinson Could Be Fired After Game 7 Loss — Raptors Coach
The raptors coach storyline in Cleveland is simple: Kenny Atkinson could be out if the Cavaliers lose Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. A first-round exit would put the franchise back in the same judgment spot it faced two years ago.
Kenny Atkinson and Game 7
The first move Cleveland would likely make is moving on from Atkinson. He has not gotten past the second round in two seasons with the Cavaliers, and that is the line the organization has already used before.
Two years ago, the Cavaliers parted ways with J.B. Bickerstaff because he could not get the team beyond that round. This time, the stakes are tied to a single game against Toronto, with the loss carrying coaching consequences before the offseason even begins.
Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley
The coaching decision is not the only change being discussed. Cleveland should seriously consider moving on from one of Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley if it cannot advance past the first round, and the frontcourt pairing has lasted too long under the current setup.
That kind of roster move is harder to pull off than a coaching change. Salary cap and luxury tax constraints make firing the head coach the easier path if the Cavaliers decide the current structure has reached its limit.
Donovan Mitchell’s impact
Donovan Mitchell sits at the center of the conversation because he has been a key factor in Cleveland’s success over the past four seasons. He is also a major reason the Cavaliers have struggled to get past the second round, which leaves the franchise judging a roster that has produced strong regular-season results but limited playoff progress.
The Cavaliers have been one of the NBA’s top teams over the past four seasons, but that standard now comes with a hard cutoff. If Sunday night ends in a loss, Cleveland will be forced to decide whether to keep the coach who inherited the job or repeat the kind of move it made after Bickerstaff’s tenure.
