Cavaliers and coach John Beilein have discussed possibility on him stepping down

The Cleveland Cavaliers and head coach John Beilein have discussed the option of him stepping down as head coach.

ESPN reported late Sunday night that Beilein left for the All-Star break weighing his future as coach, including the possibility that the Feb. 12 victory versus the Atlanta Hawks was his final game in the NBA.

Beilein, 67, has talked about the difficult transition from college to the pros on a few different occasions, but said recently he had no regrets about his decision to join the Cavaliers and sign a five-year contract in May — even though he has had problems connecting to players at various points. While the extended break was supposed to bring clarity about his immediate future, Beilein reportedly hasn’t made a decision yet.

If Beilein remains through the 2019-20 season, he is expected to be one-and-done in the NBA, sources tell cleveland.com.

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The Cavs are 14-40, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst mark in the league.

The Cavs are 14-40, the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst mark in the league.

Following a loss versus the Golden State Warriors about two weeks ago, Beilein was asked specifically if he felt the players were still buying into him. He said he couldn’t answer that question.

The speculation about Beilein’s NBA future first started to pick up in early January, following a verbal slip-up that nearly cost him his job. At the end of a team-only video session, Beilein accidentally called players “thugs” instead of “slugs” — the word he meant to use to describe their lackluster effort. He apologized to players — and other members of the organization — that night and then opened the next day’s shootaround with an emotional explanation that helped everyone move forward.

But since then, things haven’t gotten any better on the court or off for the Cavs — or Beilein, with momentum building toward a potential early exit. The team recently suffered its worst home loss in franchise history versus the Los Angeles Clippers. It was one of many blowouts this season that have clearly taken a toll on Beilein.

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