Kenny Atkinson signs 5-year contract to coach Cavaliers - ESPN

CLEVELAND — Kenny Atkinson's first stint as an NBA head coach ended with a sudden, strange separation in Brooklyn.

He's hoping for a longer-lasting relationship in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers finalized a five-year contract on Friday with Atkinson, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State and now takes over a Cleveland team coming off its second straight playoff appearance.

In choosing the respected Atkinson, the Cavs ended a monthlong search that began after the firing of J.B. Bickerstaff, who led the team to 99 wins the past two seasons. Bickerstaff was let go after Cleveland lost in five games to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

«Kenny brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the vision we have for this franchise,» Koby Altman, the team's president of basketball operations, said.

«His familiarity coaching alongside some of the NBA's best elevates this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court,» Altman added.

The Cavs plan to introduce Atkinson — the franchise's 24th coach — at a news conference on Monday.

«This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future,» Atkinson said in a statement. «I've seen firsthand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I'm so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward.»

There was a delay in Atkinson signing his contract because he was in France helping its national team prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He'll be back in Europe next week for exhibition games