NBA

Cavaliers hire Kenny Atkinson as head coach

Predicting the success of coaching hires — even retreads like Atkinson — is a tricky proposition. The 57-year-old is a well-respected assistant and guided an overachieving Nets club for four seasons, but he’s yet to lead a team with expectations similar to those he’ll be facing with the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is expected to agree to a long-term extension with Cleveland — a great piece for Atkinson to build with — but the Cavs’ roster could undergo an overhaul over the next few weeks. Perhaps Koby Altman will retool Cleveland’s roster to fit Atkinson’s up-tempo, spacious style of play. Anything less than advancing to the second round in year one will be a failure for Atkinson and the Cavaliers.

Grade: C+

Raptors to sign SF Scottie Barnes to five-year, $225 million contract extension

This extension has a supermaximum escalator, which could bring the deal to $270 million over the five years. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2022, Barnes took a step back as a sophomore, seeing his impact and shooting percentages drop. There was cause for concern after that, but Barnes erased that and then some this past season, making the All-Star Game and averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. After moving off several valued veterans over the last year, the Raptors are now Barnes’ team, and he’ll need to get Toronto back to the playoffs at some point for this pact to be worth it.

Grade: B+