The chatter around Kenny Atkinson is getting louder in Cleveland, and that’s what happens when a team opens 5-6. But the early blame for the Cavs’ uneven start doesn’t land neatly on the head coach.
The bigger problems, at least for now, sit with James Harden and Peyton Watson.
As The Athletic’s Sam Amick put it, “The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 5-6 start will inevitably increase the chatter surrounding Kenny Atkinson. But two major factors deserve the vast majority of the early scrutiny: the play of James Harden and new addition Peyton Watson.”
Harden’s numbers have fallen off sharply. The 37-year-old, who signed a three-year, $97 million deal in the summer [player option on the third season], is averaging 15.3 points on 36.4 percent shooting overall, plus 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, three turnovers per game and a plus-minus mark of negative-3.6. Those scoring and assist totals would be his lowest since he became a full-time starter in 2012.
Watson was supposed to give Atkinson a two-way wing who could help on both ends of the floor, but that leap hasn’t shown up yet. Instead, his production has dipped to 11.4 points on 40.6% shooting, including 21.6% from deep, along with 4.6 rebounds per game.
That’s a step back from last season, when Watson averaged 14.6 points on 49.1/41.1/73.0 shooting splits and 4.9 rebounds in 54 games for the Denver Nuggets.
It’s still early in the 2026-27 NBA season, but the concern is obvious. If the Cavs keep trending this way, the pressure on Atkinson will only keep building, and Cleveland may eventually be forced into a move to try to rescue the season.
In Other News...
Cavs Got The Offensive Spark Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Cavaliers finally found the kind of offensive rhythm that has been missing in stretches this season, and it came in a win over the Knicks. James Harden set the tone with 32 points and four assists, while Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and seven rebounds to keep the pressure on New York. Jarrett Allen chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds, giving Cleveland a steady inside presence, and the overall performance had the feel of a night when the ball moved with purpose and the scoring load was spread more naturally.
Tyrese Proctor also gave the Cavs a useful lift with 15 points, another encouraging sign for a team still sorting out its rotation and looking for reliable secondary scoring. For Cleveland, the bigger question now is whether this was just a strong one-off against the Knicks or the start of a more consistent offensive spark that can carry into the next stretch of games. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Finally Delivered The Kind Of Response Fans Needed
After a shaky stretch that had started to raise questions, the Cavaliers got the kind of road response they needed at Madison Square Garden, beating the Knicks 115-107 and snapping a two-game losing streak. Clevelands offense found enough rhythm to steady things, and Donovan Mitchell was central to that push with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Cavs moved back to 6-6.
The bigger takeaway was that Cleveland didnt let the night drift away once New York made it uncomfortable in the fourth quarter. James Hardens season-high 32 points gave the Cavaliers a needed scoring lift, and the win offered a cleaner snapshot of what this group can look like when it has to answer a challenge rather than absorb one. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell May Be The Key To Fixing Cleveland's Offense
The Cavaliers are still searching for a cleaner offensive rhythm after a 5-6 start, and the conversation has turned toward a familiar fix: putting Donovan Mitchell in a more central role as a playmaker. Coach Kenny Atkinson and the team have been exploring different combinations and responsibilities, looking for a way to create better scoring chances and get the offense moving with more purpose.
Mitchell has long shown he can carry more of the initiation load, and Cleveland may be leaning into that strength as it tries to settle on a more efficient formula. The broader question is how the Cavs balance roles around him, with the staff continuing to test different looks in hopes of finding an arrangement that unlocks the groups best version. [Read more 🡒]