Johnnie Bryant, a New York Knicks assistant, will join Cleveland’s new coach Kenny Atkinson’s staff, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Bryant, who interviewed for the Cavaliers’ vacancy before Atkinson was hired, will serve as an assistant head coach, according to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the organization has not disclosed the move.
Bryant will rejoin in Cleveland with Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. They spent several years together in Utah, and Mitchell frequently credits the 29-year-old Bryant with helping him improve his game.
Mitchell agreed this week to a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension with the Cavs. His commitment came just days after Cleveland hired Atkinson, the former Brooklyn coach who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State.
Bryant spent six seasons with the Jazz. He went to New York in 2020, when it appeared Mitchell might be headed to the Knicks in a trade before the Cavs pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire the 27-year-old.
Atkinson is still completing his staff, but has already added former Lakers assistant Jordan Ott and former NBA player DeMarre Carroll. Ott is coaching Cleveland’s Summer League team in Las Vegas.
Mitchell agreed this week to a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension with the Cavs. His commitment came just days after Cleveland hired Atkinson, the former Brooklyn coach who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State.
Bryant spent six seasons with the Jazz. He went to New York in 2020, when it appeared Mitchell might be headed to the Knicks in a trade before the Cavs pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire the 27-year-old.
Atkinson is still completing his staff, but has already added former Lakers assistant Jordan Ott and former NBA player DeMarre Carroll. Ott is coaching Cleveland’s Summer League team in Las Vegas.
