Report: Cavs granted permission to interview Atkinson, Borrego
The Cleveland Cavaliers received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego for the franchise's head coaching vacancy, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Cavaliers are expected to undergo an expansive interview process with several more candidates, Wojnarowski adds.
Atkinson has ties to players on Cleveland's roster, coaching Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert while serving as the Brooklyn Nets' bench boss. The 56-year-old compiled a 118-190 record across four seasons in Brooklyn, with the Nets' best postseason performance during his tenure coming in a first-round exit in 2019. Atkinson stepped down from the club in 2020 and has since worked as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers and Warriors. He won a championship with Golden State in 2022.
Atkinson reportedly agreed to take over as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets last offseason but decided to stay with Golden State.
Borrego coached the Hornets from 2018-22, going 138-163 with Charlotte over four seasons. The Pelicans hired Borrego this past campaign, and he helped re-vamp their offense. He reportedly interviewed for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching vacancy earlier in May.
The Cavaliers parted ways with J.B. Bickerstaff after the team's second-round loss to the Boston Celtics.