Kendrick Perkins Thinks Cavaliers Could Fire Kenny Atkinson

Former NBA big man and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks the Cleveland Cavaliers could fire head coach Kenny Atkinson.

The Cavaliers, who went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, are only 5-6 through 11 games. 

The Cavaliers hired Atkinson in 2024. The New York native won the 2024-25 Coach of the Year Award. He's 121-54 in the regular season and 13-14 in the playoffs with the Wine and Gold. 

Cleveland lost to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday by 12 points. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell shot a combined 7/20 from the field for 21 points. It was a brutal performance. 

The New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. Many people thought LeBron James would come home this summer to end his career where it started, but the NBA legend signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are 9-2. 

The Cavaliers are $45,000 below the first apron. They are projected to be $12 million under the second apron in 2027-28 and will exceed the second apron for a second time in four years if Jaylon Tyson signs a rookie extension next summer.  

Cleveland has no tradable firsts over the next three seasons. Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson and Jarrett Allen combine to earn at least 85% of the salary cap over the next three seasons.

The Cavaliers acquired Watson from the Denver Nuggets this offseason in a sign-and-trade deal. Watson signed a four-year, $88 million deal to join Cleveland. The contract includes a player option and a trade kicker.

Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with the Cavaliers this offseason. The All-Star shooting guard has said many times that he wants to spend the rest of his NBA career in Cleveland, but for that to happen, Mitchell has to lead the franchise to the NBA Finals. 

The Cavaliers re-signed Harden this offseason on a three-year, $96 million contract. Harden went to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the future Hall of Famer hasn't been back since. 

Cleveland signed Mobley to a five-year, $269 million extension in 2024. The Cavaliers weren't interested in trading Mobley to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to the Miami Heat. The Wind and Gold also had no interest in trading Mobley for Jaylen Brown, who was traded to the 76ers.

Mobley is under major pressure to play like a superstar this season. If he doesn't, the Cavaliers will regret not moving him for Brown or Antetokounmpo, two former Finals MVPs.

All signs point toward the Cavaliers not winning a championship this season. It might be time for the front office to rebuild and trade Mitchell, Harden, Mobley and Allen.