The Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting at a dismal 5-6 to kick off their 2026-27 season, and the pressure on head coach Kenny Atkinson is already hitting a boiling point. After making a deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year and adding guards Peyton Watson and Meleek Thomas to bolster their bench, this start is a massive letdown. This squad, with its expensive roster and talent, was pegged as one of the best in the conference. Now, one analyst is already saying Atkinson’s job is on the line.
Cleveland’s Star Power Is Dimming Fast
Let’s be real, 5-6 isn’t what anyone expected from this Cavaliers team. They’ve got talent, no doubt, but the numbers for their key guys are already raising red flags. James Harden’s output has taken a steep dive, averaging just 15.3 points and 5.7 assists per game. And Donovan Mitchell? He’s on pace for his lowest points per game total, 22.8, since his rookie season. Seriously, what’s going on? There’s still plenty of season left to turn it around, sure, but this isn’t the kind of start that screams “contender.”
Kevin O’Connor Drops the Truth Bomb
The chatter about Kenny Atkinson’s job has been bubbling up, especially after that brutal loss to the Hornets on Monday night. But Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor didn’t just speculate, he straight up posted on X on Tuesday that he doesn’t see Cleveland keeping Atkinson “all year” if they keep struggling. He pulled no punches, saying he’d be “shocked” if Atkinson isn’t fired. O’Connor laid out the harsh reality: “This core is flawed. Harden looks old. Mitchell is flawed. Mobley and Allen are an imperfect frontcourt. Watson looks like a bust and as a whole Cleveland’s depth just seems worse.” He didn’t stop there, pointing out that while coaching is a problem, the “core is the main problem,” leaving Koby Altman with a ton of work to do regardless of Atkinson’s fate.
A Pattern of Playoff Exits and Coaching Changes
This isn’t Atkinson’s first rodeo with this Cavaliers squad. He was hired in 2024, leading them to a fantastic 64-win season and the No. 1 seed, only to lose in the second round to the Pacers. Last season, they won 52 games, but again, fell short in the conference finals against the Knicks. This core of Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen has been together since the 2022-23 season, and they’ve had four straight playoff exits without ever reaching the Finals. This isn’t their first coaching change either. J.B. Bickerstaff was fired after their 2023-24 second-round exit, and he’s gone on to lead the Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference over the last two seasons. The current situation, with Cleveland sitting in the conference’s No. 7 seed, suggests that firing Atkinson might just be the first domino to fall before more significant moves hit this “flawed” core.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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