Cavaliers fire coach JB Bickerstaff after two straight playoff berths

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a relatively successful season. Despite advancing to the second round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers' front office decided a coaching change was necessary.

Cleveland's run to the Eastern Conference semifinals marked the franchise's deepest playoff run since LeBron James' departure after the 2017-18 season.

On Thursday, the Cavs announced that JB Bickerstaff had been relieved of his duties as head coach. Bickerstaff first took over as head coach in February 2019 following the resignation of John Beilein.

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Bickerstaff's firing came a week after the Boston Celtics eliminated Cleveland from playoff contention.

Bickerstaff had to guide the team through numerous injuries during the NBA regular season and playoffs. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen were sidelined with injuries during the Cavs' final two playoff games.

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Bickerstaff was successful, but other problems apparently led Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and president of basketball operations Koby Altman to take action.

The coaching change could trigger a summer trade for the Cavs, who hope to sign Mitchell to a long-term contract extension and could make big moves while tied to what James ultimately decides to do.

James, who may opt out of his contract with the Lakers, attended Cleveland's final home playoff game, sparking speculation about his return home and third stint with the Cavs, perhaps in the final act of his career.

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In the short term, the Cavs have begun the search for a replacement for Bickerstaff.

“JB is a highly respected NBA coach and an incredible human being,” Altman said in a statement. “Over the last four years, he helped establish a culture that progressively pushed players to become the best versions of themselves. Decisions like these are never easy, particularly when you look back and see where the franchise's rebuild began under his leadership.

“The NBA is a unique business that sometimes requires aggressive risk-taking to advance a franchise and ultimately compete for championships.”

Head coach JB Bickerstaff and general manager Koby Altman of the Cleveland Cavaliers are interviewed at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 2, 2023 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

While Bickerstaff was credited with building a strong culture, he had his flaws.

Had issues with in-game adjustments. Their offense was often stagnant, and there is a strong belief that there should have been more development from guard Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who, along with Mitchell and Allen, give the Cavs one of the best young players in the game. the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff yells instructions to players in the first half of a game against the Houston Rockets on December 15, 2021 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

In his first full season, Bickerstaff, who was under contract through 2026, went 22-50 with one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. They improved to 44 wins in their second year before losing in the Play-In Tournament while showing great strides.

After acquiring Mitchell in a trade in 2022, the Cavs went 51-31 last season and had home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated in five games by the New York Knicks. The early departure put additional pressure on Bickerstaff for him to do more this season.

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Bickerstaff, 45, was 170-159 in the regular season and 6-11 in the playoffs with Cleveland.

The Cavs went 48-34 this season and remained among the top teams in the Eastern Conference amid a series of significant injuries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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