The senior lieutenant under Tom Thibodeau could leave the New York Knicks to join Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, where he was once a hot trade target. According to SNY’s Ian Begley on Friday night, May 24, the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering a number of assistant coaches to take J.B. Bickerstaff’s job, including associate head coach Johnnie Bryant of the Knicks.
Begley continued, “The Cavs would need permission from the Knicks to interview Bryant.
One major benefit Bryant has going for him as a head coach candidate is his close relationship with Mitchell, who will be making a decision this summer over his long-term future in Cleveland. Bryant and Mitchell are longtime friends.
reer in 2012 with the Jazz as a player development coach. He took Mitchell under his wing since the five-time NBA All-Star guard’s rookie season until he left for New York.
Bryant’s player development training was credited to Gordon Hayward and then Mitchell’s rise as top options in Utah.
When Bryant left Utah and took the Knicks’ associate head coaching job, Mitchell was one of the first people who publicly congratulated him.
