Cavaliers Considering Dismissal Of J.B. Bickerstaff

The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to take multiple days to make a final decision, but the job of J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach is in “serious jeopardy,” sources tell The Athletic.

Bickerstaff has been head coach for five-and-a-half years after replacing John Beilein in 2020.

Bickerstaff guided the Cavaliers to a first round series win over the Orlando Magic in seven games before they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.

Donovan Mitchell reportedly does not have great confidence in Bickerstaff and is not alone in that assessment. Multiple players have questioned the strategies, game management and practice habits of Bickerstaff.

“No one has told me I’m not (the coach), so I’ll keep showing up until they tell me not to,” Bickerstaff said when asked about his job status after Wednesday’s loss.

He added: “We’ve continued to build this thing the right way. Every single year we’ve improved, continued to get better. Play-In, playoffs.”