The end of the 2024 NBA Finals could have an effect on the Cleveland Cavaliers as they search for a new head coach. They reportedly may have an interest in talking to Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen regarding the vacancy.
“What’s the delay? It’s the same guys being discussed for weeks,” wrote Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com.
“Or is it?
“I keep thinking there must be someone else.
“That someone could be Alex Jensen, an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks.
“Now that the Mavericks have been eliminated from the playoffs, the Cavs can talk to Jensen.”
Pluto added more.
“This isn’t to say Jensen is their top choice,” wrote Pluto. “It is to suggest they want to interview Jensen at length before they make their final choice.”
Working under head coach Jason Kidd, Jensen helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals, which they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. Dallas fell short of its first NBA title since 2011 with a series-ending 106-88 loss at Boston on Monday night.
Now that the 2023-24 NBA season has come to a conclusion, teams can start making more substantial moves in anticipation of the 2024-25 campaign. For example, in addition to having a new window to speak to Jensen as they try to replace J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach, the Cavs can renew their attempt to secure superstar Donovan Mitchell with a contract extension.
Jensen has a history with the Cavs, having been the head coach of their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge (formerly known as the Canton Charge). He was named the league’s Coach of the Year for the 2012-13 season, when it was known as the NBA Development League. He just completed his first season as a Mavericks assistant coach after a long stint as an assistant with the Utah Jazz.
Cleveland’s search for a new head coach has been described as “fluid and ongoing.” As of last week, the Cavs reportedly had interviewed five candidates: James Borrego, Kenny Atkinson, Dave Joerger, Micah Nori and Johnnie Bryant.
The Cleveland vacancy is one of two current openings in the NBA, along with a Los Angeles Lakers job. Borrego reportedly has impressed the Cavs but also may still be a candidate for the L.A. job. NBA insider Brian Windhorst has said that the Cavs opening is considered more attractive than the Lakers vacancy.
The Cavs fired Bickerstaff shortly after they were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a five-game, second-round loss to the eventual champion Celtics. That followed a very disappointing first-round setback to the New York Knicks in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Now that this NBA season has ended, perhaps Cleveland’s head-coaching search will be over soon as well.
