Cleveland Cavaliers Could Battle Los Angeles Lakers for In-Demand Coaching Candidate Amid J.B. Bickerstaff Exit Rumors

In a report by Evan Dammarrell of Right Down Euclid, the Cavs insider revealed that the decision on whether or not to give Bickerstaff the axe will be heavily influenced by Donovan Mitchell’s feelings towards his coach.

Apparently, former All-Star turned long-time assistant coach Sam Cassell, along with a couple of other candidates, has emerged as a potential replacement for Bickerstaff if Cleveland decides to go in a different direction:

“If Mitchell decides that Bickerstaff isn’t the right fit for him and his long-term future with the Cavaliers, sources have told Right Down Euclid that New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen and Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell could be on the short list of candidates,” Dammarrell wrote.

Lakers Also Eyeing Cassell

It is worth noting, however, that the Cavs do not have a straightforward path for Cassell, in particular. The Los Angeles Lakers, who are currently in the middle of an exhaustive search for Darvin Ham’s successor, has been linked to the Celtics assistant coach as one of the favorites to land the job vacancy in LA.

As such, Cleveland will need to ask fast if they are truly interested in Cassell because it appears that the three-time NBA champion point guard is going to be a hot commodity this summer.