The Cleveland Cavaliers were so close to glory this season.
They took the NBA by storm and won 64 regular-season games to look like a strong championship contender.
Then, the debacle came with a tough playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, who eventually made their way to the 2025 NBA Finals.
However, as disappointing as that was, the Cavs still made a strong impression around the league.
As such, it was hardly a surprise to hear that they might lose some assistant coaches.
That’s why, after Jordan Ott became head coach of the Phoenix Suns, and with others rumored to possibly be leaving, analyst Gene Winters expressed some concerns about the coaching staff heading into next season, via the “Bruce Drennan Show.”
“The only part I would worry about is if they end up taking another coach from the Cavaliers that’s currently on their bench to be their head assistant or associate head coach. … Trevor Hendry was a guy that the Cavaliers really liked last year. I could see him moving into that [Johnnie] Bryant role where he’s the associate head coach, then Kenny Atkinson can go in and grab a couple more coaches to add to his staff. That’s the luxury, but also the disadvantage that you have. You win a lot, teams are going to come after your coaches to help take that team to the next level,” Winters said.
Should there be concern about two #Cavs coaches leaving the team? @GoWinters doesn't think it is too big of a deal. #LetEmKnow
"You win a lot, teams are going to come after YOUR coaches."
Presented by #mentornissan https://t.co/ouNQklEmQD pic.twitter.com/4qYSlihKiy
— Bruce Drennan Show (@Bruce_Drennan) June 9, 2025
The New York Knicks reportedly are considering Bryant to be Tom Thibodeau’s successor.
He coached under Thibodeau before joining Atkinson’s coaching staff in Cleveland this season.
There were also reports about Ott looking to lure DeMarre Carroll with him to Phoenix.
At the end of the day, it takes much more than one person for a team to find success.
Atkinson deserves plenty of credit for his team’s strong campaign, but he didn’t do it on his own.
These staff moves might look minor, but they can end up having a disastrous ripple effect on any team.
Hopefully, that won’t be the case in Cleveland, and the Cavs will be able to find suitable replacements for the coaches they lose this offseason.
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