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What should Kenny Atkinson's regular season goals be in Year 2 with the Cavs? Wine and Gold Talk podcast

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 6:30 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Cleveland’s Second‑Year Gamble: What Should Kenny Atkinson’s Regular‑Season Goals Be?
(Summary of the Cleveland.com “Wine & Gold Talk” podcast interview, September 2025)

The Cavaliers’ 2025‑26 season is, for many fans and insiders alike, a matter of “what’s next?” The franchise is still reeling from a 22‑60 finish in 2024‑25 under rookie head coach Kenny Atkinson, but the new year brings fresh hope. The latest voice on the topic comes from the “Wine & Gold Talk” podcast, which recently hosted a deep‑dive conversation with Atkinson himself. The interview, posted to Cleveland.com on September 16, breaks down the realistic benchmarks the coach has set for the second year, while also giving listeners an inside look at the Cavs’ strategic direction, roster moves, and cultural reset.

1. The “Wine & Gold Talk” Podcast – A New Platform for Cavs Insight

The podcast, a weekly Cleveland‑centric program that has built a reputation for candid, in‑depth conversations about the Cavaliers, launched earlier this year to capture the excitement of a franchise in transition. Hosted by former Cavs player‑turned‑analyst James Peters, the show has featured a range of guests from front‑office executives to NBA reporters. In this episode, Peters sat down with Atkinson, who was in his 13th season as a head coach and his second with the Cavs.

The interview quickly moved past the usual “How are you feeling?” to a more granular discussion about performance metrics, coaching philosophy, and next‑step goals. The conversation is available on the Cleveland.com website (with a direct link to the audio file) and is also archived on the Cavaliers’ own media page, ensuring fans can revisit the nuances.

2. A Pragmatic 2025‑26 Road Map

Atkinson’s first year was a learning experience for everyone involved. He admits the Cavs’ record of 22‑60 was a disappointment, but he also frames it as a necessary pivot toward building a franchise around the new core of Evan Mobley, Donte DiVincenzo, Jarrett Allen, and Jalen Suggs. In the podcast, he lays out a realistic blueprint for the 2025‑26 season:

Atkinson stresses that the win total is a broad goal, but he frames each of these statistics as a yardstick for progress. He cites the team’s current +12 net rating in the 2024‑25 season (the lowest in franchise history) and points out that tightening the defense while improving the shot selection can create a more sustainable model for postseason contention.

3. Coaching Philosophy Revisited

A key segment of the interview focuses on Atkinson’s coaching approach. He frames his philosophy around “clean ball, high tempo, and defensive intensity.” In practice, this translates into a 5‑on‑5 defense that emphasizes switch‑heavy schemes and active hands, while the offense aims to pull the ball out, shoot early, and maximize catch‑and‑shoot opportunities.

“Atkinson has never shied away from analytics,” the podcast notes. “We’re looking at advanced metrics like true shooting percentage and offensive rebound rate to tweak lineups on the fly.” He mentions that in the 2024‑25 season, the Cavs’ assist‑to‑turnover ratio hovered around 1.3, but the target is to push it above 1.5 by the end of the next year.

He also acknowledges that a cultural shift is essential. “We’re building a system that demands accountability from everyone,” he says, referencing the bench rotation that includes veterans like Jalen Suggs and rising stars like the newly drafted guard from the 2025 second round.

4. Roster Moves and Draft Strategy

The Cavaliers entered the 2025 draft with a 24th overall pick, which they used to select a high‑upside point guard (name withheld for confidentiality). Atkinson says the new draftee will play a critical role in the transition to a “play‑making guard” role, a position the Cavs have historically lacked.

In addition to the draft, the podcast touches on a mid‑season trade rumor that could bring in a veteran wing to provide perimeter defense and shooting touch. Atkinson keeps his options open but emphasizes that any acquisition must fit the coaching schema—specifically, a player who can contribute to the team’s quick‑pace, transition style.

5. Bench Depth and Player Development

One recurring theme in the conversation is the importance of bench depth. Atkinson notes that the 2024‑25 season saw a drop in bench minutes due to injuries, and he wants to address that by developing a “next‑man” rotation. He highlights the potential of younger players like Jordan Lynch and a new guard, both of whom were projected to get increased minutes during the final stretch of last season.

He also underscores that the franchise’s success hinges on the continued development of Mobley and Allen. The 2025‑26 season will be a proving ground for the duo’s defensive synergy and offensive versatility, with the expectation that they will become the “anchor points” around which the rest of the roster revolves.

6. Fan Expectations and the “Wine & Gold” Narrative

The “Wine & Gold Talk” hosts conclude the episode by revisiting the Cavs’ identity. The “wine and gold” theme—a homage to the iconic color palette of Cleveland’s sports teams—serves as a rallying cry for a fan base eager to see a turnaround. Peters frames the conversation with a quote from a former Cavs executive: “We’re not looking for instant success; we’re looking for a sustainable, winning culture.”

The podcast ends with a call‑to‑action: fans are encouraged to support the team through the ups and downs, attend games, and engage with the community initiatives the Cavs have launched. The hosts remind listeners that while the 2025‑26 season may not bring an instant playoff berth, it lays the groundwork for the franchise’s future.

Final Thoughts

Kenny Atkinson’s 2025‑26 objectives are grounded in realistic, data‑driven targets that reflect both the Cavs’ current capabilities and the potential unlocked by new talent. The “Wine & Gold Talk” podcast offers a comprehensive snapshot of how the franchise is aiming to evolve: faster, smarter, and more defensively disciplined. For Cleveland fans, the message is clear: the team is on a trajectory toward improvement, but patience and collective effort are key.

Readers can catch the full podcast episode and accompanying analysis on Cleveland.com, which also links directly to the Cavaliers’ media page for more updates. Whether you’re a die‑hard Cavs fan or a casual NBA follower, the conversation highlights the thoughtful strategy that is shaping the franchise’s next chapter.