5 potential replacements for Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching role amid J.B. Bickerstaff firing reports

J.B. Bickerstaff has been in charge of the Cleveland Cavaliers since midway through the 2019-20 season. He has led the Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances, with the team winning their first postseason series without LeBron James since 1993.

However, Bickerstaff's position with the Cavaliers is reportedly in jeopardy after their exit in this year's playoffs against the Boston Celtics. The Athletic reported that some players are frustrated with the coach, while his relationship with president Koby Altman is not the best after an incident in December.

Bickerstaff compiled a 170-159 regular season record with the Cavaliers. He previously coached the Houston Rockets for one season as an interim coach and the Memphis Grizzlies for two years. He has been in the NBA since 2004 when he started as an assistant for the Charlotte Bobcats.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers part ways with J.B. Bickerstaff, here's a look at five possible replacements.

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Five potential replacements for J.B. Bickerstaff as Cleveland Cavaliers coach

#1 Chris Quinn

One of the most in-demand assistant coaches in the NBA today is the Miami Heat's Chris Quinn.

He has been with the Heat since he was a player and joined their coaching staff in 2014. He's been linked to several teams over the past few years, like the Detroit Pistons, LA Lakers and the Utah Jazz.

Quinn could bring his own version of "Heat Culture" to Cleveland and possibly give the team a new mentality. They have the heart to embrace given how the team battled in Games 3 and 4 when Donovan Mitchell sat out due to a strained left calf.

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#2 Sam Cassell

The two-time NBA champion player has been an assistant coach since 2009 with the Washington Wizards. He has had tenures with the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and now with the Boston Celtics. He's more than primed for a head coaching position for the past five years.

Sam Cassell's coaching style has been described as honest and is more of a communicator. He might be the one to unlock Evan Mobley's potential for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as turn Darius Garland back into an All-Star. Garland's numbers have declined since the arrival of Donovan Mitchell last season.

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#3 Kenny Atkinson

One of the best developmental coaches in the league, Kenny Atkinson has had previous tenure as head coach in the NBA. He was in charge of the Brooklyn Nets for almost four seasons and took them to the postseason once with D'Angelo Russell as their best player.

Atkinson now works as an assistant for Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors. He was supposed to be the Charlotte Hornets coach before backing out at the last minute. He could turn Evan Mobley into an All-Star if he brings his talents to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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#4 Frank Vogel

The Phoenix Suns fired Frank Vogel after just one season, which means the one-time NBA champion coach is available. Vogel is not a terrible coach; in fact, he's quite possibly one of the best defensive coaches in the league.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to maximize Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Vogel might be the right choice here. He could also help unleash Darius Garland both as a scorer and playmaker. The only question is if Vogel would be interested in coming back to coaching again.

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#5 Terry Stotts

Terry Stotts was supposed to be an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks this season. However, he resigned before the final game of the preseason and he has not been a head coach since leaving the Portland Trail Blazers back in 2021.

Stotts is also a good developmental head coach, as well as an offensive coach. He led the Blazers to eight straight playoff appearances in nine seasons. He might be interested in coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers equipped with a future All-Star in Evan Mobley. However, Donovan Mitchell's future could be a factor for all coaching candidates to consider.