After how badly his Cleveland Cavaliers were outclassed in the Eastern Conference finals by the New York Knicks, questions about head coach Kenny Atkinson’s future with the franchise have emerged.
Several pundits and media members have called for Atkinson to be relieved of his duties following his underwhelming performance in the conference finals, while some reports have suggested that he indeed could be on the hot seat in Cleveland over the offseason.
Atkinson, though, doesn’t seem especially worried about his job security after what he views as a successful season.
Kenny Atkinson Doesn’t Seem Worried About his Job Security in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 23: Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with the press prior to a game against the New York Knicks in Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Following Cleveland’s 130-93 season-ending loss in Game 4 of the conference finals, Atkinson was asked about his job security and in response he expressed confidence in himself and in the organization moving forward.
“Listen, I have confidence in myself, first of all, and confidence in the group. The roster talk, that’s for down the line. Our front office has done a phenomenal job giving us a great roster,” Atkinson said.
“Obviously, there will be decisions to be made like every summer, but I think we’ve been doing pretty well with those decisions since I’ve been here. So we just need to keep trusting the process and our collaboration.”
Kenny Atkinson has Support of Cavaliers Players
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 head coach Kenny Atkinson and James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland’s front office will have the ultimate say when it comes to Atkinson’s future, but one thing is clear: He has the support of his players.
After leading the Cavs to the conference finals for the first time since 2018, Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell doesn’t think that all of the criticism that Atkinson is receiving is warranted.
“We’ve done something that we haven’t done since 2018. There’s going to be criticism everywhere on Kenny, right? But why? We got here. We did it with Kenny. We didn’t just go out there and coach ourselves,” Mitchell said. “I love Kenny. We love Kenny. We ride with Kenny and ultimately that’s all that matters, right?”
Cavs star guard James Harden also shared high praise for Atkinson, who Harden credited with helping him get acclimated to Cleveland quickly after being traded from Los Angeles midseason.
“Ultimate players coach,” Harden said of Atkinson. “He gets it. He understands his team. Of course, somebody’s gonna have to take the criticism, whether it’s myself or Kenny or like, whoever, the entire team. They’re gonna put it on somebody. But I think for Kenny, he did an unbelievable job of getting me acclimated as fast as possible to understanding what I was supposed to be doing out there. It’s just an unfortunate situation.”
Player support isn’t the only factor when it comes to deciding a coach’s fate, but it is often a major one, and Atkinson having Cleveland’s two biggest stars in his corner should work in his favor.
Kenny Atkinson ‘Confident’ About his Job Security with Cleveland Cavaliers