Cleveland Radio Host Floats Jason Kidd as Possible Kenny Atkinson Replacement
The Cleveland Cavaliers saw their postseason run end with a 130-93 blowout loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night in Cleveland.
The Knicks are now headed to their first NBA Finals since 1999, and the Cavs come up short once again as questions swirl about the future of the franchise.
One big question mark is regarding head coach Kenny Atkinson, who is now 14-18 in the postseason with Cleveland.
There are rumblings that the Cavs could move on from Atkinson. In his first season, Cleveland finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but the Cavs lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Semifinals.
While no decision has been made yet, the buzz should pick up quickly in Ohio.
Aaron Goldhammer, a host for ESPN Radio in Cleveland, even named one recently-fired coach as an option if the Cavs move on from Atkinson: Jason Kidd.
"I have a theory kind of confirmed by some people that I know around the league - the Cavs will seriously look at Jason Kidd," Goldhammer said.
"I have a theory kind of confirmed by some people that I know around the league - the Cavs will seriously look at Jason Kidd," - @HammerNation19pic.twitter.com/JC4TiEL52R
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 26, 2026
Goldhammer then discussed the relationship between LeBron James and Kidd, and James has been rumored to consider Cleveland if he decides to play one more season in the NBA.
What Does Cleveland Do?
Atkinson barely finished Year 2 of a five-year contract. He won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season and had the Cavs as the No. 1 seed.
However, getting swept this time around in the Eastern Conference Finals was not a good thing to put on the resume, and Cleveland didn't play well by any means.
Moreover, if James does consider a return to Cleveland, moving on and getting another coach could be in the works.
As for Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks surprisingly fired him not even one year after giving him a new contract extension, and Kidd shouldn't be a free agent for very long.
Kidd just took the Mavericks to the NBA Finals a couple of seasons ago, and the Luka Doncic blockbuster trade ultimately drastically changed the direction of the team in one day.
First things first is whether or not Cleveland moves on from Atkinson, but if he is gone, Kidd's name could be a fun option to consider.
Related: Kenny Atkinson Sends Knicks Message As Debate on Cavs Future Grows
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:45 AM.