Cleveland shows interest in Minnesota’s assistant coach Micah Nori

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Cleveland Cavaliers expressed its interest in hiring the assistant coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves Micah Nori confirmed on June 4, 2024.

After firing its previous mentor J.B. Bickerstaff following another failed playoff run, the Cavaliers then received permission to interview Nori for their vacant head coaching position.

It was ESPN’s veteran NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski who confirmed the development regarding the Cavaliers’ ongoing off-season moves.

After helping the squad reach the Western Conference Finals, Nori’s employment stock quickly rose despite exiting the playoffs when they got eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.

Nori arrived in the Minnesota franchise three years ago when he was brought by current head coach Chris Finch to become a part of his coaching staff.

Before taking his coaching expertise to the Timberwolves, Nori had to earn his stripes at Detroit, Sacramento, Toronto, and Denver.

According to Cleveland President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, the franchise is currently looking for a “different voice” and a “new approach” to its roster.

Last May 25, 2024, Cleveland ousted Bickerstaff after serving as the franchise’s chief tactician for five seasons in the NBA.

“Decisions like these are never easy, particularly when you look back at where this franchise rebuild started under his leadership,” said Altman.

Despite a turnaround in the franchise after Bickerstaff’s arrival five years ago, the organization still pulled the trigger in terminating his contract and is yet to secure ties with other NBA teams.

Aside from Nori, the Cavaliers is already considering Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson and New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego for the job.