Next steps for Cavaliers: Why panic when only minor changes are needed?

The early list for replacing Bickerstaff includes former Nets head coach and current Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and former Hornets head coach James Borrego. Either candidate makes sense — Atkinson overachieved early in his tenure with the Nets, and Borrego improved the Hornets each season he coached them (but was fired nonetheless). 

Neither man has coached a team with real expectations, which the Cavs will have entering the 2024-25 season. Still, both are smart basketball minds, and Borrego deserves another shot as an HC.

Cleveland would be smart to scoop up Borrego if he's willing to take on a job that, after Bickerstaff's firing, apparently holds pretty high standards.

Find what fits

Cleveland has talent, but the distribution of it leaves a bit to be desired.

Mitchell and Darius Garland are splendid players individually and share similar weaknesses that might limit their potential together. Think Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in Portland. 

In the frontcourt, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are highly productive, and Mobley's three-point shot development (37.3% in 2023-24) opens up a new world of possibilities. And while both can defend out to the perimeter, Cleveland was still prone to being burned by smaller lineups with speed.

Isaac Okoro shot better than ever on the wing in 2023-24 (39.1% from deep), and Dean Wade provided versatile defensive minutes off the bench. Max Strus was solid, so the Cavs got production from the wing, but none of the aforementioned players are consistent creators, so minutes had to be divided among them.

Whoever the new coach is must find what lineups mesh best. 

One more creator

Cleveland might be missing one more player who can consistently create off the dribble. Sure, every NBA team could use one more player who can create shots off the dribble. Cleveland doesn't need that player to be an All-Star (even though Paul George of the Clippers would do wonders for this team). Philadelphia's Kelly Oubre could fill the hole well and so could, in theory, Chicago's DeMar DeRozan. 

Cleveland gets a lot of production from many sources, but an extra guy who can put the ball on the floor and help punch through this team's second-round ceiling would be great.

Don't overdo it

Despite what you may have heard, Cleveland isn't in bad shape. 

Garland is 24. Mobley is 22. Jarrett Allen, 26, is locked down for the next two seasons. If Cleveland believes it can retain Mitchell next summer, when he becomes a free agent, there's no reason to make drastic moves this summer. 

Improve around the margins, sign another scorer and see if a new coach can get this team rolling.