Dan Gilbert Hints at Changes After Knicks Sweep Cavs
Following the Cleveland Cavaliers' sweep by the New York Knicks in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, team owner Dan Gilbert hinted that changes were coming to the team.
The Cavs, who have the NBA's highest payroll, lost in four games to the Knicks, and all of the losses were by double digits. Given how much money Gilbert is spending on this team in salary and luxury tax commitments, getting swept is simply unacceptable, and change is surely coming to Cleveland this summer.
Taking to his social media after the Knicks laid the hammer on Cleveland in Game 4 on May 25, Gilbert expressed his frustration with how the Cavs' season ended.
We are nowhere near where we need to be."
"We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can't thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there. Congrats to the (NY Knicks) and best of luck in the Finals," Gilbert wrote on X.
Coach Kenny Atkinson's Future in Doubt
The biggest question mark surrounding the Cavaliers right now is the fate of head coach Kenny Atkinson, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.
Related: Kenny Atkinson Sends Knicks Message As Debate on Cavs Future Grows
The Cavs hired Atkinson last season, and he had a tremendous regular season for Cleveland, leading the team to a 64-18 record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. But the Cavs' season disappointingly ended in the second round of the playoffs when the Indiana Pacers defeated them 4-1.
The Cavs then regressed during the regular season this year, going 52-20 and finishing with the No. 4 seed in the East. But they beat the Toronto Raptors and the Detroit Pistons in seven games each in the first two rounds to advance to the ECF, so things were looking up for the Cavs.
However, a 4-0 series sweep by the Knicks has Atkinson's future very much in doubt.
Atkinson signed a five-year contract with Cleveland in June 2024, so he still has three more years left on his contract after this season. While Gilbert would prefer not to eat the remaining money left on his deal, if the Cavs' owner believes that a change behind the bench is necessary, then he may have to consider eating the contract and firing Atkinson.
More NBA:
- LeBron James Divulges Timeline for Potential Retirement Decision
- Kendrick Perkins Makes Bold Statement About Alex Caruso
- Draymond Green Blasts Cleveland Cavaliers for Lack of Leadership
There is no doubt that Atkinson is a quality, capable NBA-caliber head coach, and his COTY award last season proves that. But he might not be the right fit for this Cleveland squad, and the team may follow in the footsteps of the Knicks, who fired Tom Thibodeau and replaced him with Mike Brown last year in a bold move. Now, look where they are.
Cavs Roster Could Look Different Next Year
In addition to a potential coaching change, the Cavaliers' roster might look different next season.
The first order of business is seeing what guard James Harden will do with this $42.3 million player option.
After the Cavs' Game 4 loss, Harden said he wants to be back with Cleveland. But if he turns down his player option to test the free-agent market, as is his right, then he might find better, or at least different, opportunities elsewhere around the league.
Basically, there's no guarantee that Harden is back in Cleveland next year.
The Cavs also need to see what the future holds for superstar Donovan Mitchell. He has one more guaranteed season on his deal at $50.1 million next year, followed by a player option for $53.8 million for a second season that he's sure to turn down.
Mitchell also said he wants to sign an extension in Cleveland, and the Cavs would surely love to keep him. But just because both sides want it to happen doesn't necessarily mean that it will.
The team also needs to figure out if they want to keep Evan Mobley long-term.
He has four years left on the supermax contract that pays him between $50 million and $60 million per season over the life of the deal. But does Gilbert want to keep paying him that sort of massive money when he really hasn't stepped up his game in the playoffs? It remains to be seen.
This season, the Cavs paid $212.3 million in payroll, but they were so far into the second apron that their total spend with luxury tax penalties is approaching $300 million, according to Sports Business Classroom.
While Gilbert is a multi-billionaire, the Cavs are a business, and if he isn't getting the ROI he feels he deserves, then changes could be coming. Based on his comments on X, don't be surprised if he makes some huge moves.
Related: Charles Barkley Trashes Cavs After 'Choke Job' Loss to Knicks
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:33 AM.