NBA Rumors: James Borrego, Kenny Atkinson Get Permission to Interview for Cavs HC Job

The Cleveland Cavaliers received permission to formally interview the New Orleans Pelicans' James Borrego and Golden State Warriors' Kenny Atkinson as part of their coaching search, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Borrego is also a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.

Instantaneously with news of J.B. Bickerstaff's dismissal surfacing, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Borrego and Atkinson were "expected to be among candidates for the job."

There's a clear level of urgency driving Cleveland's front office. With Donovan Mitchell entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, president of basketball operations Koby Altman didn't feel he could run it back.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported May 24 on Get Up that "every decision the Cavs make between now and when Donovan Mitchell makes his decision on a contract extension in July is going to be wrapped around that."

Windhorst followed up Wednesday on ESPN Cleveland's The Really Big Show to say Mitchell might have more leverage over the Cavaliers than any other player over his respective team:

Neither Borrego nor Atkinson has existing ties with Mitchell from their time in the NBA, and they wouldn't qualify as a marquee hire if one was the final choice. Both did reasonably well at their last head-coaching stops, though.

The Charlotte Hornets' 43-39 record under Borrego in 2021-22 certainly looks better in retrospect after they immediately fell into the NBA cellar with Steve Clifford. Atkinson helped build the culture within the Brooklyn Nets that led them to be an attractive destination for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019.

From the Cavaliers' perspective, you'd at least be able to sell Mitchell on the idea that Borrego or Atkinson is potentially an upgrade over Bickerstaff.

Wojnarowski wrote the team is still going to consider "several more candidates," so this far from just a two-horse race.