CLEVELAND, Ohio — In an offseason dotted with departures, the Cavs have made an addition to their coaching staff.
A familiar one. With deep local roots.
Jawad Williams — a Cleveland native, prep standout at nearby St. Edward High School and one-time Cavalier — has been hired as an assistant coach on Kenny Atkinson’s staff.
After going undrafted out of North Carolina in 2005, Williams began a nomadic playing career, with two brief stints in Cleveland and most of his experience overseas. Upon his retirement in 2022, Williams turned to coaching, first as an assistant and director of player development in Japan and then in the same role for the Sacramento Kings.
With the Atkinson-led Cavs continuing to emphasize player development and four coaching departures — Bryan Tibaldi (Providence College), DeMarre Carroll (Phoenix Suns), Chris Darnell (Sacramento Kings) and Jordan Ott (Phoenix Suns) — they started looking for potential external replacements, identifying Williams as an ideal fit.