The Cleveland Cavaliers have made the decision to dismiss J.B. Bickerstaff as their head coach, following their second-round exit from the playoffs. Bickerstaff, who spent 4 1/2 seasons at the helm of the team, led the Cavs to three postseason appearances and accumulated 170 regular-season wins.

The 45-year-old coach played an integral role in guiding the Cavaliers to their first playoff series victory since 2018, and their first without LeBron James on the roster since 1993. Despite his accomplishments, Bickerstaff's tenure came to an end, leaving him with two years and approximately $10 million remaining on his contract.

Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman, expressed his respect and appreciation for Bickerstaff's contributions to the team in a news release, acknowledging the establishment of a positive culture under his leadership. Altman also emphasized the need for aggressive risk-taking in order to move the franchise forward and compete for championships.

As the news of Bickerstaff's departure broke, the team began considering potential candidates to fill the vacant coaching position. Sources indicate that Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans assistant James Borrego, both with prior head-coaching experience, are among the leading contenders.

The decision to part ways with Bickerstaff comes just eight days after the Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics in Game 5. Reports had surfaced during the series that Bickerstaff's position with the team was in jeopardy.

Although Cleveland showed improvement under Bickerstaff's guidance, his teams struggled in the second half of each of the past three seasons. Criticisms from players, including star Donovan Mitchell, regarding strategy, game management, practice habits, and accountability weighed heavily on the coach throughout the season.

Furthermore, Bickerstaff faced the challenge of managing a roster frequently plagued by injuries, including key players such as Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert. Despite these challenges, Bickerstaff's record as the Cavaliers' coach stands at 170-159.

Sources reveal that Bickerstaff was nearly fired early in the season due to the team's poor start. He also faced scrutiny after playing Mitchell for extended minutes in a December win over the Houston Rockets. Nevertheless, Bickerstaff's tenure saw moments of success, including a stretch of 22 wins from mid-December until the All-Star break.

The decision to part ways with Bickerstaff was seen as a likely outcome by many of the players, who believed that his dismissal would occur unless the team made it past the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

Amidst his departure, Mitchell's two best seasons with the Cavaliers, statistically speaking, occurred under Bickerstaff's coaching. The 27-year-old guard demonstrated his skill by earning his fifth consecutive All-Star selection, with career highs in points, assists, and rebounds per game. However, he also battled injuries that impacted his performance, including a bone bruise in his left knee, ultimately leading to his absence in the final two games of the playoff series against the Celtics.

Moving forward, the Cleveland Cavaliers will embark on a search for a new head coach in hopes of building upon their recent successes and propelling the franchise towards future championships.