The Cleveland Cavaliers have already lost several key assistant coaches.
That’s why potentially losing Johnnie Bryant as well would’ve been a massive blow to Kenny Atkinson’s coaching staff.
Fortunately, it seems like that will no longer be the case.
According to a report by team insider Sam Amico, Bryant is no longer in consideration for being the New York Knicks’ next head coach:
“Meanwhile, early favorite Johnnie Bryant — a top assistant with the Cavaliers and once viewed as a frontrunner for the Knicks job — appears to have lost traction. A source tells [Stefan] Bondy the Knicks have not requested permission to speak with Bryant, signaling a shift in priorities as the search evolves,” Amico wrote.
Bryant made the rounds as one of the early favorites to replace Tom Thibodeau in the Big Apple.
He spent three years coaching under Thibodeau before taking his talents to Ohio to get reunited with Atkinson.
The Cavaliers took the league by storm this season, with Atkinson turning the franchise around after years under J.B. Bickerstaff’s tutelage.
Unfortunately, the outcome was the same as always, as they could only win one game in the second round vs. the Indiana Pacers.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff clearly made a strong impression around the league; otherwise, other teams wouldn’t have been so eager to lure some of them to greener pastures.
The Cavaliers will now have to figure out how to replace those who left and, more importantly, where to go from here after another disheartening end to the campaign.
Koby Altman talked about adding more toughness to the roster.
But with limited resources because of the second apron, no first-round picks, and likely no major trades around the corner, it will be interesting to see what ace he has up his sleeve to improve this team in the offseason.
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