J.B. Bickerstaff future with Cleveland Cavaliers uncertain

J.B. Bickerstaff has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers since the 2019-20 season. After spending the first 54 games as associate head coach, he was named head coach for the final 11 games. While Bickerstaff led the 2023-24 Cavaliers to their first postseason series win without LeBron James since 1992-93, his future with the franchise may be in jeopardy.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the organization will take their time before making a decision, tweeting:

ESPN Sources: After an Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Celtics with short-handed lineup, Cavaliers plan to take time to evaluate coach JB Bickerstaff’s future, but organization remains fond of him and marketplace is sparse of proven candidates. There will be a lot of…

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2024

Bickerstaff has led the Cavaliers to a 170-159 record in his four-plus seasons leading the team. He had a previous stint as the interim head coach of the Houston Rockets, leading them to a 37-34 record. He also served as the interim head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies before later being promoted to head coach. They were 48-97 during his tenure.

Donovan Mitchell ‘did not have great confidence’ in J.B. Bickerstaff

Going into the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ top priority will be signing Donovan Mitchell to a long-term extension. The five-time All-Star, who is just 27 years old, has a player option for the 2025-26 season. He is eligible for a four-year, $208.5 million contract extension this offseason.

Mitchell reportedly was not confident in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic wrote:

The Cavs need their star player to feel comfortable with the long-term direction of the franchise, which includes the coach. Multiple league sources have said, for months, that Mitchell did not have great confidence in Bickerstaff, and he was not alone. [The Athletic]

Mitchell did not play in the final two games of the Cavaliers’ second-round series against the Boston Celtics. Cleveland was eliminated in five games, with Jarrett Allen missing the entire series. The front office will look to convince their star guard to sign a long-term extension. There have been reports that they could look to move him if they are unable to reach a deal. It is unclear how his decision will affect Bickerstaff’s future with the franchise.

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