Are the Cleveland Cavaliers Firing Their Head Coach After Playoff Exit?

While Cleveland has always had a reputation of being mediocre without James, the team finally enjoyed a resurgence during the 2021-22 season when they finished eighth in the Eastern Conference. Even though they failed to make the playoffs that year, there was already solid signs of improvement for the Cavs.

From there, the front office acquired All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, a move that sped up their development to possible contenders. After two seasons, though that iteration of the Cavs has already reached its ceiling with the Jayson Tatum-led Boston Celtics eliminating them recently.

J.B. Bickerstaff In Danger Of Losing Job As Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach

Thanks to their playoff exit, rumors are now swirling of either Mitchell or one-time All-Star Darius Garland being traded. Also, Bickerstaff’s tenure as head coach may soon come to an end, according to Shams Charania and The Athletics’ sources indicated in an article posted by Real GM:

“Donovan Mitchell reportedly does not have great confidence in Bickerstaff and is not alone in that assessment. Multiple players have questioned the strategies, game management and practice habits of Bickerstaff.

“No one has told me I’m not (the coach), so I’ll keep showing up until they tell me not to,” Bickerstaff said when asked about his job status after Wednesday’s loss.

He added: “We’ve continued to build this thing the right way. Every single year we’ve improved, continued to get better. Play-In, playoffs,” the article stated.

In the five seasons Bickerstaff spent as Cleveland’s head coach, he has a record of 170 wins and 159 losses. That record translated into a win/loss rating of 51 percent for him.

It remains to be seen what the Cavaliers will do in the coming months, especially when it comes to their head coaching needs. In any case, big changes are in store for Cleveland during the offseason soon.