Jordan Ott joins Atkinson’s coaching staff

Ott is once again among Atkinson’s first hires.

Kenny Atkinson has officially been named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the rest of the coaching staff hasn’t taken form yet. Atkinson is currently overseas as an assistant coach with the French national team as they’re preparing for the Olympics. That hasn’t stopped the Cavs from beginning to add to his staff.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Jordan Ott is the first name to fill out that bench. Ott spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before being a finalist for the recent head coaching vacancy with the Charlotte Hornets.

Ott was one of the top assistants for Darvin Ham during the past two seasons in Los Angeles. Before that, he was one of the first assistants Atkinson brought over when he was named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Ott stayed with Brooklyn through the 2021-22 season even after Atkinson resigned. Ott started his career in the NBA as a video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks for the 2013-2014 season. He was promoted to assistant coach two seasons later where he served with Atkinson under Mike Budenholzer.

Atkinson is known as a player development coach. He was hired in Cleveland because of that as the front office believes that will take this team to the next level. Having the proper staff in place is an important part of the process. Ott being among the first hires both times Atkinson has been named head coach likely shows how important he is and will be to that process in Cleveland.