The Cleveland Cavaliers had a relatively successful season, reaching the second round of the playoffs, but Cavs management decided a coaching change was necessary.
Cleveland’s run to the Eastern Conference semifinals marks the franchise’s longest playoff streak since LeBron James left the team after the 2017-18 season.
On Thursday, the Cavs announced that J.B. Bickerstaff had been relieved of his role as head coach. Bickerstaff first took the head coaching job in February 2019 following the resignation of John Beilein.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE FOXNEWS.COM
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff speaks to the media after Game 7 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on May 5, 2024 in Cleveland. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Bickerstaff’s firing came one week after the Boston Celtics eliminated Cleveland from the playoff picture.
Bickerstaff had to navigate a slew of injuries during the regular season and NBA playoffs, with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen sidelined with injuries in the Cavs’ final two playoff games.
Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell denies reports he was unhappy with teammates
While Bickerstaff was successful, it was apparently other issues that prompted Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and president of basketball operations Koby Altman to take action.
A coaching change could signal a change of direction this summer for the Cavs, who are hoping to sign Mitchell to a long-term contract extension and could make a big move depending on James’ ultimate decision.
James, who is free to opt out of his contract with the Lakers, watched Cleveland play his final home playoff game, fueling speculation he might return to his hometown for a third stint with the Cavs, perhaps for the final time in his career.
In the short term, the Cavs have begun searching for a replacement for Bickerstaff.
“JB is a highly respected coach in the NBA and a great person,” Altman said in a statement. “Over the past four years, he has helped build a culture that encourages players to become their best selves over time. With a franchise that has begun a rebuild under his leadership, decisions like these are never easy.”
“The NBA is a unique business that sometimes requires you to take aggressive risks to move your franchise forward and ultimately compete for a championship.”
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff and general manager Koby Altman are interviewed at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Oct. 2, 2023 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Bickerstaff is credited with building a strong culture, but it also had its flaws.
He struggled to make in-game adjustments, his offense was often stagnant and there is a strong belief that guards Darius Garland and Evan Mobley should have improved, which, along with Mitchell and Allen, give the Cavs one of the best young cores in the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff shouts instructions to his players during the first half of a game against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 15, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Bickerstaff, who was under contract through 2026, led the team with the youngest roster in the NBA to a 22-50 record in his first full season, then improved to 44 wins in his second season, but despite the big improvements, the team lost in the play-in tournament.
After acquiring Mitchell in a trade in 2022, the Cavs went 51-31 last season and had home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs before losing in five games to the New York Knicks. That early exit will put pressure on Bickerstaff to step up this season.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Bickerstaff, 45, went 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 despite a series of major injuries.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
